Cyanotis

Family. Commelinaceae.

Origin. Tropics of Africa, Asia.

Description. Cyanotis is a perennial, evergreen, herbaceous plant with branched, rather thick, creeping shoots. The leaves are lanceolate or linear, glossy, fleshy, covered with delicate white down, arranged alternately. The flowers are axillary, blue or purple, and are not of particular interest. Externally, the bush resembles a related tradescantia. In some varieties, the underside of the leaf blade has a burgundy hue.

Height. Rarely exceeds 10-15 cm in height, but drooping shoots can reach a length of 30 cm. Develops slowly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Cyanotis are thermophilic and are kept at a temperature of 20 - 24 ° C throughout the year. In the winter months, the temperature can be lowered slightly, but the plants cannot tolerate a temperature drop of up to 10 ° C.

Lighting

It can grow in the shade, but prefers places where it will receive several hours of direct sunlight daily - in the morning or evening. In the shade, the shoots become longer and the leaves thinner. It responds well to artificial lighting with fluorescent or phytolamps.

Care

Pinch the apical buds of young shoots to form lateral shoots. The flower will be happy to be outdoors in the warm season - place it under cover from wind and rain, as well as in the shade from direct sunlight.

Substrate

Any well-drained soil containing organic matter. Add perlite or coarse sand to the soil.

Feeding

From spring to autumn, feed with complex fertilizers every 2 weeks. In autumn and winter, the frequency of fertilizing is reduced to once a month or stopped completely until spring. 

Purpose

Cyanotis is a valuable decorative foliage plant that does not require care. The bushes are often grown in hanging baskets, the stems of which hang over the edge of the pots in a beautiful cascade.

Flowering time

Flowering can occur at any time of the year, but it is not of particular interest - the leaves give the plant the greatest decorative effect. 

Air humidity

When the central heating is on, the air in the room becomes too dry and the flower will need increased humidity. Place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles or use a room humidifier. Do not spray - since abundant pubescence of the leaves retains droplets of moisture and rotting may occur.

Soil moisture

The substrate should be evenly moist in spring and summer, when the plants are actively developing. Immerse the pot with cyanotis in a large container of water for a few minutes and allow excess moisture to drain. In autumn and winter, the frequency of watering is reduced slightly, drying the soil to a depth of 3 - 5 cm before each subsequent watering.

Transfer

The seedlings like slightly cramped conditions, so do not rush to change the size of the pot. Replant in the spring, when new growth begins, if necessary - the delicate root system is shallow and does not like damage.

Reproduction

Propagated by apical cuttings, in spring and summer. Rooting occurs easily and quickly in a mixture of peat and wet sand or in ordinary water - within 2 - 3 weeks. Shoots can root on their own when in contact with the ground.

Pests and diseases

Excess nutrients in the soil are harmful - the color of the leaves fades. The tips of the leaf blades dry out and turn brown at low air humidity. With insufficient lighting, the bushes stretch out and turn pale, the internodes lengthen, and the leaves become smaller. With stagnant moisture and insufficient drainage, the root system rots.

Flowers can be attacked by harmful insects such as spider mites, aphids, scale insects and mealybugs.

Note

Sometimes, with age, plants expose the lower part of the stems and become untidy - replace them with new flowers obtained using cuttings.