Colorful tropical plant from Peru

This perennial herb can reach 1-2 meters in its natural habitat but is usually pruned to a few decimeters in cultivation, making it perfect as a potted or terrarium plant.

All parts of the plant can be more or less reddish depending on the variety, and the leaf veins are often lighter than the rest of the leaf surface, giving an attractive leaf pattern. There are many cultivars whose leaves or plant parts are green, red or purple.

Botanical description

Iresine diffusa f. herbstii belongs to the Amaranthaceae family and is also called Herbst's bloodleaf in English, while other English names include chicken gizzard plant and beefsteak plant - all referring to the flesh-red hues.

The plant is originally from Peru where it grows as a low-growing shrub. In warmer climates it is often grown as a shrub outdoors, but in colder areas it has quickly established itself as a popular houseplant and terrarium plant thanks to its tropical colors and relatively compact growth habit.

The plant remains relatively low-growing even as it gets older, leaf size does not increase significantly over time.

Care

Thrives in bright, indirect light, the more light the more intense the colors. Water regularly but moderately. Iresine reacts sensitively to drought and can become extremely limp, but regains its turgor quickly when water is added again.

In a terrarium, use a drainage layer and be careful with watering in the beginning, it is always easy to add more but very difficult to remove excess water. Coconut fiber is an excellent moisture-retaining base, and coarse additives such as orchid bark , charcoal and lava rock help with drainage.

Prefers high humidity, making it a fantastic choice for tropical terrariums where the color looks incredible in contrast with green plants. Ideal temperature 18-26°C. The plant cannot tolerate cold and must be overwintered cool indoors or in a greenhouse in temperate climates.

Easily propagated by cuttings that quickly root in a glass of water, not only at the node but at various points along the stem. Buy Hayflowers online!