Hemigraphis 

Family. Acanthaceae. 

Origin. Southeast and East Asia.

Description. The genus Hemigraphis includes 90 species of low-growing, annual or perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs. Young shoots and leaves often have delicate, short pubescence. Creeping stems often take root where they touch the ground. The leaves are silver when grown in partial shade and have a metallic purple sheen when grown in sunlight, arranged oppositely on long, pubescent petioles. The leaf blade is toothed, often wrinkled, ovate-heart-shaped, up to 7-9 cm long, the lower part is purple. The upper side of the leaf blade often has a glossy sheen. Leaf veins are clearly defined and branched. The flowers are tiny, from 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter, five-petaled, bell-shaped, white with a purple center, bloom in summer, inconspicuous, solitary or collected in small apical inflorescences of 2 - 3.

Height. 15 - 30 cm, sometimes reaches 50 cm.

Home care

Temperature

A heat-loving plant, the optimum temperature in summer is 22 - 27 °C. In winter, the bushes are kept cool - at a minimum temperature of 16 - 18 °C. Hemigraphis does not like temperature changes.

Lighting

It is best to keep it in partial shade or in slightly diffused light. Plants grown in bright light do not have a metallic sheen to the leaves. When there is not enough light, the color of the leaves fades and the shoots become weak and elongated.

When blooms

Summer.  Hemigraphis is an ornamental foliage plant and its flowering is not of particular interest. 

Care

To obtain a more magnificent shape, young shoots are pinched 1 - 2 times.

Reproduction

They propagate vegetatively by cuttings 8–10 cm long; the greatest success is achieved with the use of growth hormones and bottom heating. Don't forget to remove the bottom pair of leaves from the cuttings. Under cover made of transparent plastic or glass, rooting takes place within 10 - 14 days at a temperature of 25 - 27 ° C. 

Soil composition

With an acidic pH, containing peat, humus and coarse sand, well drained.

Feeding

In spring and summer, hemigraphis is fed with a hydroponic solution or regular liquid fertilizer, diluted to half the dosage indicated on the package, 2 times a month. In autumn and winter, fertilizing is not carried out. 

Purpose

Looks great in hanging baskets and can also be used as ground cover. When grown in a hanging basket, the shoots will cascade over the edge in a beautiful manner.

Air humidity

High. Spray the shoots and leaves with soft water or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. Spray in the morning so that the moisture evaporates before dark. Protect the bush from cold drafts. To increase humidity, you can use a room humidifier.

Watering

Water sufficiently in the warm season with soft water at room temperature. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering slightly in winter according to the temperature. 

Transfer

Every year in the spring, as it develops and grows into a larger pot.

Pests and diseases

The tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown when there is insufficient air humidity.

Harmful insects may include whiteflies, aphids, spider mites and scale insects. 

Note

In medicine it is used as a wound healing agent. In our country, hemigraphis is practically not common and is considered a rare indoor plant.