How to Grow and Care for Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) Indoors
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Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) thrives in very bright light with some sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soils.
Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata also called Yellow Iresine is a colorful plant which bears red stems, green leaves with yellow veins and is an excellent addition to any plant collection for a splash of color.
Yellow Iresine can grow to a height of 2 feet when grown indoors. The leaves are either rounded or lance-shaped with yellow veining.
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.
Flowers
The 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
Chicken Gizzard Plant 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.
Toxicity
Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata is non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. It is safe to grow indoors. 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, check them out online on Etsy (Link to Etsy) or on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata Care Indoors
Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) prospers in very bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, average warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 55-65% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Yellow Iresine 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.
Light Requirements
Chicken Gizzard requires 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.
You may also grow Yellow Iresine under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.
Watering
Water Chicken Gizzard Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moist at all times.
Cut down on watering during the cold period as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow it to dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as can result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Yellow Iresine thrives in an average warmth of 18-270C. Keep it away from drafts as they cause sudden changes in temperatures resulting in leaf drop and reduced growth.
Chicken Gizzard Plant requires moderate to high humidity of 55-65% for it to thrive. You may raise humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or by using a cool mist humidifier. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Chicken Gizzard Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. All purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Feeding
Feed Chicken Gizzard Plant fortnightly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Stop feeding in the cold season as the growth is reduced at this time.
Repotting
Repot Yellow Iresine during the growing season only when the roots grow out of the drainage holes as it prefers to be root-bound. Use a pot 1-2 sizes larger. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Chicken Gizzard Plant involves pinching of the growing tips to encourage bushyness and to control growth. Cutback the tall stems during the growing season to prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
Propagation
Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil.
Learn more on how to propagate Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) from stem cuttings.
Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata Problems Indoors
Chicken Gizzard Plant (Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata) problems include loss of leaf color, leggy growth and pests infestations. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color in 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 enough. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Leggy growth (Weak elongated stems)
Leggy growth (Weak elongated stems) in Chicken Gizzard Plant are due to too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive very bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine.
Pests
Chicken Gizzard Plant is prone to aphids. These sap-sucking insects are attracted to the new soft growth where they cause distorted growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 blossoms 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.
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