Leea Burgundy (Leea coccinea) Indoor Care, Common Problems and Remedies
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Leea Burgundy Plant (Leea coccinea) grows best in medium to bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Leea Burgundy also called Red Leea, Hawaiian Holly or West Indian Holly 'Rubra' is a rare plant but is one of the popular tree-like plants whose foliage in young plants is bronzy red but turns green when mature.
Leea coccinea 'Rubra’ is a cultivar which features dark-red stems, bronze-red (purplish) leaves, red flowers which are pinkish inside and scarlet fruits. It is one of the popular purpled-leafed plants that will add a splash of color in any space.
Botanical name: Leea coccinea
Synonym: Leea guineensis
Family: Leeaceae
Common names: Leea Burgundy, Red Leea, Hawaiian Holly, West Indian Holly 'Rubra'
Origin
Leea is a genus of plants that are distributed throughout Northern and Eastern Australia, New Guinea, South and Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.
There are about 70 species and they are placed in the Vitaceae family. But based on morphological differences, Leea plants are often placed in their family Leeaceae.
The genus was named by Linnaes after James Lee, the Scottish nurseryman based in Hammersmith, London who introduced many new plant discoveries to England at the end of the 18th century.
Size
Leea coccinea also called Leea guineensis can grow to a height of 6-8 feet and a width of about 4-5 feet. On account of its size and dislike for direct sunshine, Leea Burgundy is among the popular low-light trees for spaces with no sunlight.
Flower
Leea flowers are attractive to wasps, bees, butterflies, flies and bettles which act as potential insect pollinators. However, it rarely blooms when grown indoors. It produces red flowers which later turn pink. The fruits are black berries.
Is Leea coccinea Burgundy toxic?
Yes. Leea coccinea Burgundy produces a milky sap which can irritate the skin. Always wear gloves when handling the plant. The plant is toxic to both humans and pets if ingested.
How to Care for Leea coccinea Burgundy indoors
To care for Leea Burgundy indoors, give it medium to bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-290C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Leea coccinea care requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is needed only when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
Leea Burgundy thrives in medium to bright indirect light; a spot infront of a large, well-lit window is perfect. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it may cause the foliage to turn yellowish.
Vey low light causes loss of leaf color. Therefore, where the natural light 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 uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
Water Leea Burgundy thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid yellowing and leaf drop.
Reduce watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to prevent wilting and leaf drop.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and loss of plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Leea Burgundy flourishes in an average warmth of 18-290C during the growing season. Keep it away from drafts and temperatures below 100C as they can cause leaf drop.
Leea coccinea has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, if the air is too dry, it may result in brown leaf tips. Therefore, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to increase humidity.
Fertilizer
Feed Leea Burgundy with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer to promote a healthy growth. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Mix
The best potting medium for Leea Burgundy is a fertile, well-draining soil which does not get soggy while providing the required nutrients.
Repotting
The ideal time to repot a young Leea Burgundy is at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer). Select a pot 2 sizes larger than the current one. Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging. Check out these self watering planters on Amazon.
Replace the top 2-3 inches of soil every 2-3 years for mature plants while taking care not to injure the roots as it can lead to disease infestations.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Leea Burgundy involves:
- Removal of yellow and dead leaves to keep it neat and tidy as well as discourage pests and diseases infestation.
- Pinching off the growing tips regularly to encourage a bushy, compact growth.
- Cutting back the stems of an overgrown plant at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) to rejuvenate growth. Use a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to avoid cross-contamination.
To get rid of dust from the leaves and also discourage pest infestation, splash the foliage with plenty of water from a steady jet of water.
Leea Burgundy Propagation
Leea Burgundy (Leea coccinea) propagation is easily done from stem-tip cuttings at the beginning of the growing season. Stem-tip cuttings are taken from the upper part of the plant.
Read more on how to propagate Leea Burgundy Plant (Leea coccinea).
Leea coccinea Problems & Solutions
Leea Burgundy Plant (Leea coccinea) problems are yellowing and dropping leaves, stunted growth, loss of leaf color, leaf spots among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellowing and dropping leaves
Yellowing and dropping leaves on Leea Burgundy is caused by incorrect watering, drafts, and sudden change in growing conditions.
How to fix it
Incorrect watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches os soil feel dry but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from windy doors and windows, air conditioning units, heat sources, stoves among others. Maintain an average warmth of 18-290C.
Sudden change in the growing conditions: Avoid moving the plant suddenly before acclimating it to the new growing conditions.
Stunted growth
Stunted growth in Leea Burgundy is due to nutrients deficiency and too little light.
How to fix it
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer but do not feed in fall and winter.
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive light shade to bright indirect light or instal a grow light where the natural light is inadequate.
Loss of leaf color
Leea Burgundy loss of leaf color is due to too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light away from direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Yellow and dark leaf spots
Yellow and dark leaf spots on Leea Burgundy are due to exposure to hot direct sunlight. The plant grows best in medium to bright light away from direct sunlight, therefore, move it to a shadier place or use a light curtain to shield it from direct sunshine.
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