Acanthus

Family. Acanthaceae.

Origin. Mediterranean regions, Portugal and northwestern Africa, eastern Croatia.

Acanthus plant description. Perennial herbaceous plant. The stems are vertical, grow to a height of 1 m, glabrous. The leaves are located on long petioles - about 50 cm. Quite spiny, large - 50 cm long and 30 cm wide, dark green, pointed, pinnately lobed, often covered with spines. It blooms with white, pinkish or purple small flowers with colorful bracts located on a tall, erect spike-shaped inflorescence. Variegated forms are available.

Height. From 30 to 200 cm.

Acanthus - planting and care

When to replant 

The plant does not tolerate damage to the root system well, so it should be replanted only when necessary.

Growing acanthus 

Remove flower stalks with wilted buds to maintain a neat appearance of plants and prevent the occurrence of various diseases.

Containment temperature

In summer, the usual room temperature of 22 - 25 ° C is suitable, it should be reduced to 16 - 18 ° C in winter. 

Lighting

It grows in full sun or partial shade, but if the shading is too strong, indoor acanthus stops blooming or does not bloom as profusely. 

Soil for acanthus

Grows in well-drained soils. A wide range of soils are suitable, but fertile loams are preferred.

Fertilizer

It is advisable to apply a slowly soluble fertilizer near the base of the plant during the growing season. 

Flowering time

Blooms during the summer months.

Spraying

High, needs to be sprayed daily.

Watering

Plants do not like wet soil during the winter months, but in the summer they water generously with warm water. 

Reproduction of acanthus

Easily grown from seeds or can be propagated by root cuttings in early spring. In open ground it spreads aggressively, especially in loose soils. Very small sections of the root can grow into new plants. Planting of seeds can be done almost all year round at a temperature of 10 to 13 ° C in a peat mixture. The compost is kept moist but not wet at all times, and sprouts appear within 10 to 21 days. Seedlings dive at the first true leaves. Planted in spring in well-drained soil. Acclimatization occurs gradually over 10 - 15 days after planting. The plant blooms in the second year. 

Pests and diseases

There are no serious problems with insects, they also rarely get sick. However, in open ground the plant is extremely attractive to slugs and snails. 

Purpose

It is very effective in landscape design, but due to its large dimensions it requires a lot of space. Flowers are often used for cutting.

Note

Flowers can be dried and interesting compositions can be made from dried flowers. Acanthus is dried upside down, with the inflorescences facing down, in a cool, dark place, while it retains its color.

Varieties:

Acanthus spinosus

    A perennial ornamental plant with dark green, extremely attractive leaves. The leaf blades are deeply cut, openwork, and have small spines along the edges. The flowers are collected in inflorescences at the tops of the shoots.