Leucadendron

Family. Proteaceae.

Origin: South Africa. 

Description. Leucadendrons are small dioecious evergreen trees or multi-stemmed shrubs with creeping or erect stems, up to 1 m high. The leaves are dense, oblong-lanceolate, dark green, sometimes with a silvery coating, densely covering the stems in a spiral. The inflorescences are dense, cone-shaped, containing many very small flowers. The main attraction of this species is the bright bracts of red, burgundy, salmon, dark purple, almost black, pink or yellow.

Height. Up to 2 m, grows quickly. In indoor culture, the height is regulated by pruning.

How to grow

Temperature conditions

Develops well at temperatures around 20°C. 

Reproduction

Leucadendron is propagated by seeds and, more often, by cuttings 6-10 cm long. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings and the bases are dipped in powder for rooting. Young seedlings are kept at a temperature of about 25°C.

Lighting

Prefers a well-lit place with direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours.

Care

A very unpretentious plant, adapting well to a variety of living conditions. Trim the long stems of leucadendron after flowering so that the bush remains compact and attractive.

Soil

Well-drained soil with a high content of coarse river sand. Leucadendron prefers acidic soils with a pH below 6, for example, based on peat. It tolerates soils that are quite poor in nutrients. 

Feeding

It tolerates poor nutrient substrates well and does not require regular feeding. If the plant is growing slowly and appears unhealthy, feed it with a liquid fertilizer with a low phosphorus content at half the concentration.

Purpose

Excellent for cutting, does not lose its attractiveness for a long time when cut. Used for arranging bouquets. 

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

Leucadendron loves ventilated rooms with constant air movement. 

Soil moisture

Water generously during active growth, but allow soil to dry out between waterings. Mature plants tolerate mild droughts.

Transplantation

In spring, replant into a larger pot as needed.