Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) Indoor Care, Problems and Solutions

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Chicken Gizzard Plant also called Yellow Iresine is a colorful indoor plant which bears red stems, green leaves with yellow veins and is an excellent addition to any houseplant collection for a splash of color.

Chicken Gizzard Plant, Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata

Botanical name: Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata
Family: Amaranthaceae
Common names: Chicken Gizzard Plant, Yellow Iresine

Origin

Iresines are native to the American tropics where the growing conditions are warm, moist and humid.

Size

Yellow Iresine can grow to a height of 2 feet when grown indoors. The leaves are either rounded or lance-shaped with yellow veining.

Flowers

Chicken Gizzard Plant bears small, greenish-white flowers which are not as conspicuous as the brightly colored leaves. Pinch out the flowers as soon as they begin to form so that the plant can direct its energy to growth other than developing the flowers.

Related Plants

Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata is related to Iresine herbstii (Bloodleaf Plant) which bears wine red stems and leaves with prominent red veins. It is another of the common Iresine varieties that can be grown indoors.

Is Chicken Gizzard Plant toxic?

No. Chicken Gizzard Plant is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Chicken Gizzard Plant is safe for cats, dogs and other pets. However, the plant sap may cause irritation on sensitive skin. It is advisable to always wear gloves when handling this plant.

Where to Buy

Iresine Plants are beautiful plants to add to your collection, you may purchase these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to care for Chicken Gizzard Plant indoors

To care for Chicken Gizzard Plant indoors, provide very bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 55-65% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata requires regular pruning to keep it neat and control growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Chicken Gizzard Plant thoroughly in spring and summer and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping and leaf loss.

Use room temperature water to avoid cold shock which can result in slow growth and leaf drop. Do not use chlorinated water; use rain water or filtered water to avoid browning of leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to avoid sogginess which can result in root-rot and death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Chicken Gizzard thrives in very bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to enhance the leaf color and prevent legginess. However, do not expose the plant to hot midday sunshine as it can cause scorching resulting in unsightly brown marks on the leaves.

Insufficient light will cause the plant to become leggy and lose its vibrant foliage color, Therefore, where the natural lighting is not adequate, use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for balanced growth and prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Chicken Gizzard Plant flourishes in an average warmth of 18-27⁰C. Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperatures resulting in reduced growth and leaf drop.

Yellow Iresine prefers a humidity of 55-65%. To raise humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or by use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Chicken Gizzard Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Stop feeding in fall and winter as the growth is slowed at this time.

Potting Soil

The best potting mix for Chicken Gizzard Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent waterlogging. A blend of 2 parts of potting soil and 1 part perlite is recommended for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Yellow Iresine at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when the roots grow out of the drainage holes; it prefers to be root-bound.

Select a pot 1-2 sizes larger that has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot. Check out these self watering planters on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Chicken Gizzard Plant involves pinching of the growing tips to encourage bushy growth and to control growth. Cutback the tall stems in spring to early summer to prevent the plant from becoming leggy.

Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Chicken Gizzard Plant Propagation

Chicken Gizzard Plant is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil.

1. Propagating Chicken Gizzard Plant from stem cuttings in water

Take 4-6 inches long stem cuttings from a healthy plant. Ensure each cutting has at least one set of leaves and 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.

Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Submerge 2-3 inches of stem of the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.

Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.

Once the cutting has developed a good amount of roots, transfer the cuttings into small pots (6-8 inches wide) in moist, wel-draining soil.

Position the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the new plants.

Maintain the soil moist until there is new growth. Ensure to allow adequate time for substantial growth of the new plants.

Transfer the new plants into pots 1 size larger in well-draining soil and begin routine care.

2. Propagating Chicken Gizzard Plant from stem cuttings in soil

Take 4-6 inches long stem cuttings from a healthy plant. Make sure that each cutting has at least one set of leaves and 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.

Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end of the cuttings in a rooting hormone to enhance rooting.

Select a small pot about 6-8 inches wide. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent rotting.

Fill the rooting container with quality rooting soil. Moisten the soil slightly.

With a pencil or similar object make a hole in the moist rooting mix. Insert the cutting in the previously made hole. Lightly cover the base of the cutting with the rooting mix.

Cover the set up with polythene sheet or bag to create a greenhouse effect, to increase warmth and humidity to encourage rooting.

Position the set up in a well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching. Keep the temperatures warm at 21-27⁰C.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and you observe substantial growth of the new plants.

Rooting should take place in about 4-6 weeks; new growth is an indication that rooting has taken place.

Acclimate the new plants to normal growing conditions, by opening the polythene cover a little bit everyday, over a period of two weeks. During this period, keep the soil barely moist.

Transfer the new plants into individual pots 1 size larger and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, you may transfer several cuttings into one pot.

Chicken Gizzard Plant Problems & Remedies

Chicken Gizzard Plant problems are loss of leaf color, leggy growth and pests infestations. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix it.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color on Chicken Gizzard Plant is caused by inadequate light. Move the plant to a brighter spot as it grows best in very bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth (Weak elongated stems) in Chicken Gizzard Plant are due to too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot with very bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or use grow lights if the natural lighting is not enough.

Pests

Chicken Gizzard Plant is prone to aphids. These sap-sucking insects are attracted to the new soft growth where they cause distorted growth. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and and treat it with insecticidal soap or neem oil as per the manufacturers' recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Chicken Gizzard Plant indoor or outdoor?

Chicken Gizzard Plant makes a good plant for gardens and landscapes in the warm climates meaning it is ideal for USDA zones 10-12. In the cooler climates it is grown as an indoor plant or as a container plant that can be brought indoors during winter.

2. How do you take care of a Chicken Gizzard Plant?

Chicken Gizzard Plant does well in very bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-27⁰C, moderate to high humidity between 55 and 65% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

3. Chicken Gizzard Plant Propagation?

Chicken Gizzard Plant is easily propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil.