Iresine

Family. Amaranthaceae.

Origin. Brazil.

Description. Iresine are evergreen perennial or annual herbaceous plants and subshrubs with very beautiful colored leaves. The stems are erect or lodging with oblong-lanceolate or oval leaves of various shades - from green to pink, burgundy, purple and almost black. The leaf veins are often highlighted in a lighter color.

Height. The bush reaches a height of 60 cm or more if placed in a spacious tub.

Caring at home

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Propagated by cuttings 8 - 10 cm long in the spring, rooting can be done in ordinary water. You can use rooting powder. 

How to care and trim

Provide irezina with enough heat, light and moisture to have a beautiful, healthy plant. Pinch the tops of young shoots so that the plant branches abundantly. Prune long stems in spring.

When it blooms 

Iresine rarely bloom when kept in culture. The flowers are inconspicuous, not of particular interest, they are often removed so that the plant does not waste energy on flowering.

Containment temperature

A heat-loving species that easily tolerates summer heat. Can be kept year-round at normal room temperature. The ideal temperature range is from 18 to 27° C. If exposed to temperatures below 10° C, the plant may die.

Irrigation

During the growing season, water deeply and maintain even soil moisture. Be sure to drain excess water from the pan. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering so that the earthen ball does not dry out. For watering, use soft, cool water.

Soil for iresine 

Well-drained nutritious soil, a mixture of garden soil, leaf humus, peat and coarse river sand. It is desirable that the substrate contains a sufficient amount of organic matter. 

Transplant

Replant in the spring when roots appear on the surface of the soil or from the drainage holes of the pot. Increase the volume of the pot gradually, as a large amount of soil can retain moisture, which will lead to rotting of the plant.

Growing conditions - lighting

At least 2 - 3 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably in the morning and evening. The bright color of the leaves fades with a lack of light. Possible shading on hot summer days.

Fertilizer

During the period of active growth, feed every two weeks with fertilizer at half strength. 

Spraying 

About 50% and above. Place the plant pot on a tray of damp pebbles or use a room humidifier. Spray the leaves periodically. 

Diseases and pests 

Leaves fade when there is a lack of light or nutrients in the soil. Rotting due to excess water.

Insect pests may include whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips.

Purpose

Place the iresine on a balcony or terrace in warm weather, where it will look great in a light pot. 

Note

With age, the plant may shed its lower leaves - replace it with a new one.

Varieties:

Iresine herbstii

An ornamental foliage herbaceous plant reaching 60-150 cm in height. When grown indoors, the size of the plants is regulated by pruning. The stems are burgundy, erect, branched at the base. The leaves are rounded, entire, on short petioles, up to 10 cm long, colored pinkish-purple. During the flowering period, the plant produces small, greenish-white or cream flowers, collected in branched apical panicles, which are rarely found in indoor specimens.

Iresine lindenii

An evergreen perennial herbaceous plant with abundantly branched stems at the base, forming a dense, rounded crown. The plants reach a height of 90 cm and have lanceolate, glossy leaves in shades of purple, red or pink. During the summer months, when grown outdoors, iresine produces apical panicles with small cream-colored flowers.