Leea

Family. Leeaceae.

Origin. India, Burma, Malaysia.

Description. The genus "leea" consists of 70 species of plants, which are small tropical trees or shrubs. The leaves are dark green, purple or burgundy, compound - consist of several oblong-lanceolate, very shiny leaves 5 - 10 cm long. The leaf blades have small teeth and wavy edges. Young foliage often has a reddish tint. Variegated varieties are available. The flowers are pink or orange, collected in inflorescences - round, dense umbrellas. Over time, small round berries are formed, which are often found in the umbel at the same time as the flowers.

Height. Grows quite quickly; in culture its height usually does not exceed 1.2 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Warm content all year round at a temperature of 21 - 29 ° C.

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight. Varieties with green leaves tolerate partial shade. Varieties with variegated and burgundy leaves need good lighting, as their color fades in partial shade. 

Care

Pinch the tips of the shoots to encourage branching. Keep the plant away from heating devices.

Substrate

Nutrient-rich soil with an acidic or neutral pH.

Feeding

During the growth period, feed monthly with liquid fertilizer. Loves organic fertilizers.

Flowering time

Leea blooms from spring to summer, but sometimes flowers appear at other times of the year. In cultivation it does not bloom regularly.

Air humidity

Mist leaves and shoots or use a room humidifier to increase air humidity. Does not like cold drafts.

Soil moisture

Regular watering from spring to autumn, the soil should be evenly moist. Between waterings, only the top layer can be dried. In winter, water sparingly, keeping the soil from drying out completely.

Transplant

Replant in early spring only if a change in pot size or soil is necessary. Leea does not tolerate frequent transplants well and takes a long time to recover. When replanting, try to handle the plant's root system very carefully. 

Reproduction

Seeds are sown in the spring on the surface of the soil, consisting of wet peat with sand. Seedlings are covered with glass to maintain uniform humidity and kept at a temperature of 21 to 24 ° C. Germination occurs within 2 - 3 weeks. By apical or stem cuttings using growth hormones. Air layering. 

Pests and diseases

Leea sheds its leaves for several reasons. These include waterlogging and overdrying of the soil, watering with cold water. The edges of the leaves dry out when there is insufficient air humidity. Yellowing of foliage occurs when overmoistening occurs in winter.  

Of the harmful insects, the main danger may be thrips, aphids, mealybugs and spider mites.

Note

The seeds and leaves of these plants are poisonous. Leea lives a very long time indoors with good care.