Nertera

Family. Rubiaceae.

Origin. China, Australia, Mexico and South America. 

Description. Nertera is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant or shrub that forms dense mats in nature. The stems are thin, lodging, intertwined, often take root upon contact with the ground, up to 10 cm long, the leaves are green, small, oval, sessile, about 5 mm long. At the end of spring, small ones up to 5 mm appear. diameter, white, inconspicuous flowers that are of little interest and are often hidden by leaves. In late summer or early autumn, the shoots are densely covered with spectacular orange, yellow or bright red, round, pea-sized berries. During the fruiting period, representatives of this species look especially attractive.

Height. Adult specimens usually do not exceed 8 cm in height, rarely reaching 10 - 15 cm. The bush develops quickly and covers the soil with a dense carpet.

Caring at home

Reproduction, growing from seeds

Often propagated by transplanting adult specimens. Propagation by seeds is quite difficult, and the bushes develop over a long period. Stem cuttings are easily rooted in a mixture of wet peat and sand at a temperature of about 16 °C under a polyethylene or glass cap.

When blooms 

Flowering time is May–June, but the flowers are inconspicuous.

Soil 

A mixture consisting of 3 garden soil, 1 part peat, 1 part coarse sand and 1 part sphagnum moss is suitable. Tolerates fairly nutrient-poor soils with a slightly acidic pH. 

How to care

Nertera is not the easiest plant to care for and requires maintaining a special temperature regime and high air humidity during the flowering period. In the warm season, you can place outdoors under protection from strong winds and sun.

Transplant

Since the bush has a shallow root system, it is best grown in flat containers. Plants are replanted in the spring, only if necessary.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist during the period of active growth; excess water from the tray can be drained half an hour after watering - let the soil mixture completely soak in moisture. It is advisable to use bottom watering, immersing the pot in warm water for a few minutes. When the berries have fallen, the soil can be dried between waterings - the plant will go into a dormant state.

Containment temperature

Nertera prefers moderately warm conditions and does not like extreme heat. The ideal temperature range is from 10 to 16 °C. At temperatures above 18 °C, the plant develops faster and builds up green mass to the detriment of flowering and fruiting. After fruiting, keep at a temperature of about 10 °C.

Lighting

A brightly lit location without direct sunlight, especially in summer. 

Feeding

Feed monthly with liquid fertilizers at half the concentration during flowering and fruiting.

Spraying

During the formation of flower buds and until the berries ripen, the air humidity should be high - use a room humidifier or spray the bush with soft water at room temperature. Ensure good air movement.

Pests and diseases

Excess fertilizer leads to an abundant growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering. Stems turn black when overwatered. If kept in too hot conditions, nertera may drop its fruits and flowering will be less abundant.

Pests rarely attack nertera.  Flowers weakened by disease or improper maintenance can become a favorite delicacy of mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects and whiteflies, and aphids.

Purpose

This is a magnificent ground cover and ornamental plant; during the ripening period, the berries, which appear very abundantly, practically hide the leaves and give the bush a special charm.

Note

Many gardeners grow nertera as an annual plant and throw it away after fruiting, but if the above maintenance conditions are met, it can be grown indoors for many years.  

Varieties:

Nertera granadensis, Nertera depressa

Highly decorative ground cover plants with creeping stems up to 25 cm long, the plant height does not exceed 5 - 8 cm. When in contact with the ground, the stems form additional roots. The only variety grown indoors. With age, a dense herbaceous cover forms. The leaves are green, entire, broadly oval, sessile. During the flowering period, which occurs at the beginning of summer, the plants form small greenish, axillary flowers. The real decoration of the plant are the round red or bright orange berries the size of a large pea. Plants produce fruit so profusely that they often completely hide the leaves.