Tolmiea

Family. Saxifragaceae.

Origin. North America.

Description. Tolmiea is a low perennial evergreen shrub. The leaves are round, oval, heart-shaped, palmately dissected, often with teeth along the edge of the leaf blade, on long petioles. Foliage shades include all shades of green, with some varieties having white or yellow leaves. The leaf blades are glossy, with pronounced pubescence. A distinctive feature of this species is that new leaves appear above the old leaf blades, where the leaf is attached to the petiole. In the warm season, it forms tall peduncles. The buds are small, bell-shaped, and cover the peduncles almost along their entire length. Flowering does not make the bush particularly attractive.

Height. 15 - 30 cm in height, develops quickly. 

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Moderately warm content in a room with a temperature of 10 to 22 ° C. Tolmiea has a very short dormant period in the winter months, however, even at this time the room temperature should not fall below 8 ° C. The plant does not like summer heat.

Lighting

Bright, reflected sunlight. The bush does not like direct sunlight and grows best in partial shade.

Care

Yellowed leaves should be removed to maintain a neat appearance.

Substrate

Moisture-permeable substrate with a large amount of nutrients and excellent drainage.

Feeding

From April to September, feed with liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. 

Purpose

Large species with drooping shoots look great in hanging baskets. Often also grown as a groundcover, it forms an attractive, dense, green carpet.

Flowering time

It blooms from May to August, but in home culture the plants bloom very rarely.

Air humidity

High. It is not recommended to spray hairy foliage, so use a room humidifier or a tray of damp pebbles. Do not place the tolmiea near heating sources. 

Soil moisture

During active growth, keep the substrate evenly moist. In winter, reduce watering in accordance with the temperature regime, dry the soil between waterings.

Transfer

Replant the bush in the spring, if necessary, change the substrate or size of the pot. 

Reproduction

Propagated by leaf cuttings, in spring or summer. Rooting occurs easily in a warm place under a cover of transparent plastic or glass, within 2-3 weeks.

Pests and diseases

With insufficient lighting, the bushes form elongated, but when exposed to direct sunlight, burns appear on the leaves - maintain a balance of lighting. With insufficient air humidity, the leaves dry out.

Of the harmful insects, the main danger to the plant are spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. 

Note

Tolmiea thrives in indoor culture with proper care and grows for many years indoors. The sparse pubescence of the leaf blades can irritate the skin of your hands - use protective gloves when working with the plant.