Sanchezia Plant (Sanchezia nobilis) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions

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Sanchezia Plant, Golden Vein Plant, Sanchezia nobilis

Botanical name: Sanchezia nobilis
Syn. Sanchezia speciosa
Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Sanchezia Plant, Golden Vein Plant

Description

Sanchezia Plant also called Golden Vein Plant is a striking perennial shrub which bears yellow tubular flowers in upright clusters above the foliage.

The blooms in Golden Vein Plant are attractive but the large leaves up to 12 in. long provide the main display with their yellow or ivory veins.

The Sanchezia Plant is named after Jose Sanchez, a 19th century professor of botany at Cadiz, Spain.

Size

Sanchezia Plant can grow to a height of 10 ft and requires regular pruning to control its growth.

Origin

Sanchezia nobilis also called Sanchezia speciosa is native to the lowlands of tropical South and Central America, where it grows as an understory plant.

Toxicity

Sanchezia Plant (Sanchezia nobilis) produces a sap that may cause skin irritation in sensitive people therefore always wear gloves when handling Sanchezia plant.

However, a research directed by C. Daehler (UH Botany) at Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) found that Sanchezia plant is non-toxic to humans and pets. It is safe to grow in the home but should not be eaten.

Similar Plants

Sanchezia Plant is similar in appearance to the more popular Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant), which is much smaller, growing to a height of 2 ft only.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add this spectacular plant to your collection? It is available online on Etsy.

Buy Sanchezia nobilis online from Etsy Shops

Sanchezia nobilis Care Indoors

Sanchezia Plant (Sanchezia nobilis) blossoms in bright light away from direct sunshine, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.

Golden Vein Plant requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to encourage a bushy growth and to rejuvenate growth.

Young plants needed to be repotted annually while the mature plants require to be repotted when they become pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Sanchezia Plant thoroughly during the growing season and maintain the soil consistently moist thorough out the season.

Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.

Light Requirements

Sanchezia Plant grows best in bright light away from direct sunshine. Direct sunshine can cause sun scorch marks (brown leaf patches) on the leaves.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

In low light Golden Vein Plant becomes leggy and may not flower, therefore, consider installing a grow light where natural light is not sufficient. Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 18-26⁰C during the growing season is ideal for the Sanchezia Plant. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

Keep the Golden Vein Plant away from drafts as they can lead to wilting and drooping leaves, curled leaf edges and reduced growth.

Sanchezia Plant thrives in humid conditions. Too low humidity (dry air) for the plant will result in brown leaf tips and edges.

To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestation.

Potting Mix

The best potting medium for Sanchezia Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality potting mix online from Amazon for Golden Vein Plant.

Fertilizer

Feed Sanchezia Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.

Do not feed it during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Repotting

Repot young Sanchezia Plants annually at the beginning of the growing season into a pot 1 size larger than the current one.

Repot mature Golden Vein Plants at the beginning of the growing season only when the plant becomes pot-bound.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant. Check out these Self Watering Planters with Drainage Hole on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Sanchezia Plant involves removal of any dead leaves to keep it neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Pinch the growing tips to encourage a bushy and compact growth for the Golden Vein Plant. With a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors, cutback the stems after flowering when the plant becomes overgrown to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Sanchezia Plant (Sanchezia nobilis) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

How to propagate Sanchezia Plant from stem cuttings

Take 3-4 in. of stem cuttings from a healthy Sanchezia Plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes.

Dip the cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone and insert the cut end into moist, free-draining soil.

Cover the set up with clear polythene to increase humidity and warmth to hasten rooting.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the cuttings are rooted.

Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Golden Vein Plant after which you can begin routine care.

Sanchezia nobilis Problems

Sanchezia Plant (Sanchezia nobilis) problems include brown leaf patches, brown tips and edges, curled leaf edges, wilting, lack of blooms, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

No blooms

Too little light is the reason why Sanchezia Plant is not blooming as it requires bright light away from direct hot sunshine inorder to thrive.

Position the Golden Vein Plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light away from direct hot sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges in Sanchezia Plant are caused by too dry air which results in low air humidity.

To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Brown soft leaf spots

Brown soft leaf spots in Sanchezia Plant are due to too wet soil (soggy soil) or overwatering causing the soil to be saturated with water.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

In addition, reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist.

Wilted and drooping leaves

Wilted and drooping leaves in Sanchezia Plant are caused by underwatering or too high temperature.

Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing period and maintain an average room temperature within the range of 18-26⁰C.

Keep the Golden Vein Plant away from hot air drafts like hot air vents, hot surfaces and others.

Pests

The common pests in Sanchezia Plant are Scale Insects, Spider Mites, Mealy Bugs and Aphids especially where the air is too dry (low humidity).

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read more on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

To reduce the occurence of these pests, raise humidity by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a brightly-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.

Curled leaves and leaf drop

Leaf curl and leaf drop in Sanchezia Plant are caused by too low temperature brought about by cold draughts (drafts). Keep the plant away from cold drafts like windy windows and doors, air conditioning units and others.

Brown leaf patches

Brown leaf patches in Sanchezia Plant are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the plant to direct hot sunshine. Keep the plant away from direct sunshine or instal a light curtain to protect it from direct hot sunlight.