Pseuderanthemum

Family. Acanthaceae.

Origin. Pacific Islands.

Description. The genus Pseuderanthemum contains approximately 60 species of evergreen perennial subshrubs and shrubs. Stems are erect, branched. The leaves, depending on the variety, can be elliptical or lanceolate, up to 12 cm long, of very varied colors - from the usual green to burgundy and bluish-green with all kinds of spots and specks of white or pink. The underside of the leaf blade often has a contrasting burgundy tint. In spring or summer, the plant produces small but attractive pink or white flowers, collected in small clusters at the tops of the shoots.

Height. Can reach a height of 90 - 100 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

All year round it can be kept at a normal room temperature of 22 - 25 ° C, it can be reduced to 16 - 18 ° C in winter. Do not expose the plant to temperatures below 16° C. 

Lighting

Grows well in a brightly lit setting without direct sunlight. If the shading is too strong, it stops blooming or does not bloom as profusely. 

Care

Pseuderanthemum should not be taken by beginning flower growers - it needs warmth and high humidity. To maintain a beautiful, neat shape, the branches are cut to the desired length; the bush easily tolerates pruning. The tips of the shoots are regularly pinched so that the plant remains bushy.

Substrate

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

Feeding

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

Purpose

Very effective in landscape design, looks great both in group plantings and alone.

Flowering time

From May to July. 

Air humidity

High – at least 60 percent relative, it is necessary to spray daily. You can also use a tray of pebbles or a room humidifier to increase air humidity. Pseuderanthemum is very sensitive to cold drafts - do not place it near open windows and doorways. 

Soil moisture

The bushes do not like wet soil in the winter months, but in the summer they are watered abundantly with warm water, drying the top layer of soil between waterings by about 3 cm. For watering, use softened bottled or rainwater.

Transfer

It does not tolerate damage to the root system well, so it is worth replanting only when necessary. The pot becomes too small for the plant if its roots appear on the surface of the soil or look out from the drainage holes of the pot. 

Reproduction

Easily propagated by stem cuttings 6-8 cm long in spring and summer. Young seedlings are placed in a warm place without direct sunlight and covered with glass to maintain humidity. Specimens grown from seeds often do not inherit all the attractiveness of their parents.

Pests and diseases

The tips of the leaves dry out when there is insufficient air humidity. The bush sheds its leaves when the temperature is too low. If the soil lacks nutrients, the young leaves become small. The root system rots when overwatered.

Among the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and scale insects.  

Note

This shrub can live for a long time indoors, but with age it often loses its attractive appearance.