How to Grow and Care for Bloodleaf Plant (Iresine herbstii) Indoors, Common Probems and Solutions
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Bloodleaf Plant (Iresine herbstii) requires very bright light with some sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season..
Iresine herbstii also called Beef Steak Plant or Red Iresine is an easy-care plant with wine-red stems and rounded or lance-shaped leaves with prominent red veins and can grow to a height of 2 feet.
Botanical name: Iresine herbstii
Family: Amaranthaceae
Common names: Bloodleaf Plant, Beef Steak Plant, Red Iresine, Herbst Bloodleaf
Origin
Iresines are native to the American tropics where the growing conditions are warm, moist and humid.
Flowers
Iresine herbstii flowers are small, greenish-white and are not as conspicuous as the brightly colored leaves. Pinch off the flowerbuds as soon as they begin to form so that the plant can direct its energy to growth other than developing the flowers.
Bloodleaf Plant Varieties
Herbst Bloodleaf is one of the common Iresine varieties grown in the home. The other common variety Iresine herbstii aureoreticulata (Chicken Gizzard) bears red stems and green leaves with yellow veins.
Toxicity
Iresine herbstii are non-toxic to cats and dogs. According to ASPCA, Bloodleaf Plants are non-toxic to humans and pets. They are safe to grow in the home. However, the sap may cause irritation on sensitive skin. It is advisable to always wear gloves when handling this plant.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add these beauties to your collection? You may acquire Bloodleaf Plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Bloodleaf Plant Indoor Care
Bloodleaf Plant (Iresine herbstii) prefers very bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 55-65% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Red Iresine requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to discourage pests and to control growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water your Bloodleaf Plant liberally during the growing period while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.
Decrease watering during the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not let the soil dry out completely.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Bloodleaf Plant grows best in very bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight to enhance the leaf color and prevent legginess. However, protect it from hot midday sunshine as it can cause scorching resulting in ugly brown marks on the leaves.
Red Iresine can be grown under a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out 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.
On account of its need for exposure to direct sunshine, Iresine herbstii is among the sun loving plants that will thrive under direct sunlight.
Temperature and Humidity
Herbst Bloodleaf thrives in an average warmth of 18-260C. Keep it away from drafty windows and doors as the drafts can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.
Bloodleaf Plant requires above average humidity of 55-65% for it to thrive. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Beef Steak Plant fortnightly during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote a lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as the growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Bloodleaf Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Bloodleaf Plant 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 and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid root-rot. Take a look at these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Herbst Bloodleaf involves pinching of the growing tips to keep it neat, to reduce pests and to control growth. Cutback the tall stems during the growing season to prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
Propagation
Iresine herbstii propagation is easily done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which you can root either in water or in soil.
Learn how to propagate Iresine herbstii (Bloodleaf Plant) from stem cuttings.
Iresine herbstii Common Problems with Remedies
Bloodleaf Plant (Iresine herbstii) problems include wilting and drooping, pest infestations, loss of leaf color, leggy growth among others. We have outlined herebelow the remedies and solutions. Keep reading for more on these problems.
Wilting and drooping
Wilting and Drooping in Bloodleaf Plant may be caused by poor lighting, pests infestations, poor quality soil, poor feeding, improper watering, root-rot among others.
Read more on these 13 Reasons Why Bloodleaf Plant is Wilting and Drooping (with Solutions).
Pests
Bloodleaf Plant is prone to aphids infestations. These sap-sucking insects are attracted to the new soft growth of the plant where they cause distorted growth. Read more on how to get rid of aphids in houseplants.
Loss of leaf color
Loss of leaf color in Bloodleaf Plant is due to too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural light is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Elongated stems (leggy growth)
Elongated stems (leggy growth) in Bloodleaf Plant are due to too little light. Place the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive very bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if natural lighting is not sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Bloodleaf Plant indoor or outdoor?
Bloodleaf Plant also called Beef Steak Plant is a good plant for gardens and landscapes in the warm climates making it is ideal for USDA zones 10-12. In the colder climates it is grown as an indoor plant or as a container plant that can be brought inside during winter.
2. How do you take care of a Bloodleaf Plant?
Bloodleaf Plant flourishes in very bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-260C, moderate to high humidity between 55 and 65% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
3. Bloodleaf Plant Propagation?
Bloodleaf Plant can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in water or in soil.
4. Do Bloodleaf Plants like sun or shade?
Bloodleaf Plants prefer a sunny location with very bright light and 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. They require some direct sunlight to enhance the leaf color. When grown in too much shade they loose leaf color and also become leggy.
5. How often should water Bloodleaf Plant?
Water your Bloodleaf Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil consistently moist.
Cut down on watering during the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
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