| Description: |
Dark shiny leaves, variegated in this form, and small fragrant white flowers. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil barely moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed every two weeks spring through fall with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mealy bugs and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Stem cuttings and air-layering
in the late spring through summer.
It is best to propagate any type of cuttings in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. To air-layer a plant, take a sharp knife and cut half way through the stem about a foot down from the top. Put a toothpick in the wound sideways, wrap wet sphagnum moss and a plastic bag around the wound secured by either rubber bands or tape. When roots form, cut off below the roots and plant.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and try to keep this plant cool. This plant must not sit in water and good drainage is a necessity. If the roots start to grow out of the bottom of the pot, it's time to repot! Pinch back regularly to promote bushy growth.
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