Ihi

Ihi Care

Portulaca Molokoniensis

What is the plant

Portulaca molokiniensis, known also as 'ihi, is a succulent plant endemic to Hawaii. It branches from the base to form a small shrub up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. It has small yellow flowers and when grown from seed may produce a caudex.

Portulaca molokiniensis is a stout, upright growing succulent that branches at or below the soil line to form a small shrub to 30 to 50 cm tall by about as wide with each stem being about the thickness of a cigar. It bears 2.5-5 cm long rounded pale green succulent leaves that are arranged neatly in 4 distinct rows towards the branch tips. A cluster of small yellow cup-shaped flowers forms at the ends of thick stalks that arise from the centre of the leaf rosettes, but it is the foliage of this plant that really makes it unique. Portulaca molokiniensis is an attractive plant for cultivation.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

18°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

min 9a

Difficulty

Easy

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Drought tolerant, but flowers best with regular watering. Don't water with overhead irrigation, which can damage the flowers. Once plant is well established, allow them to dry out between waterings. This plant naturally grows in very harsh, dry conditions and does not like wet feet, that is constant moisture in the root area.
Fertilizer
There are a few options for fertilizing. An application of a balanced a slow release fertilizer with minor elements every six months. Foliar feed monthly or a water-soluble fertilizer with a dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength.
Sunlight
The plant needs full sun to flower.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
The plant grows well in poor, sandy or gravelly soils. The soil must be very well-drained.
Temperature
The lowest temperatures this plant can withstand are between -3.9°C (25°F) and -1.1°C (30°F). Inside, average room temperatures from 65°F/18.3°C to 75°F/23.8°C.
Container
Choose any type of container with enough drainage holes.