Iresine bloodleaf

Iresine bloodleaf Care

Iresine herbstii

What is the plant

Iresine bloodleaf is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae. This plant is native to the Brazilian rainforests. Gardeners distinguish this plant for its bright color. The plant is often used as an ornament for lawns or borders.

Iresine herbstii is a small perennial shrub. Its height reaches up to half a meter. The leaves of the plant have a bright crimson color. The shape of the leaves is rounded, with a small notch at the top. The veins are usually a lighter shade than the leaf itself. During the flowering period, small yellow flowers appear on the plant. The fruits are brown seedpods.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

15°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 12b

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Iresine bloodleaf needs a lot of moisture. The soil in the pot should not dry out. At the same time, it is important not to overwater the plant to prevent root rot. In winter, the amount of watering should be lower. Use only settled, non-cold water for irrigation.
Pruning
Iresine bloodleaf will grow magnificently and have a neat shape if you regularly trim and pinch it. The most active pruning should come in February - it will stimulate the growth of the plant. You can also get rid of flowers - they are not decorative but take a lot of energy from the plants.
Fertilizer
For Iresine bloodleaf to receive all the necessary vitamins, you should feed it with mineral and organic fertilizers 3-4 times a month in summer and once a month in winter. Remember that a half dosage will be enough for this plant.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Iresine bloodleaf loves bright light. Therefore, any window, except for the north one, will be a comfortable place for it. However, you should protect the plant from the most burning rays. If possible, you should provide the plant with additional lighting so that the light day is at least 14 hours.
Soil
To create a suitable soil mixture, you need to combine sod, humus, and leaf soil with sand in a ratio of 2:2:2:1. In the warm season, you can place the plant in open ground.
Propagation
Iresine herbstii propagates mainly by cuttings and by seeds. At the beginning of spring, cut ten-centimeter apical sprouts and root them in a greenhouse or pot. You need to graft each bush above 3-4 pairs of leaves.

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Temperature
Temperature is not too important for Iresine bloodleaf. It feels great when the thermometer shows 60-77 degrees Fahrenheit (15-15 degrees Celsius). In winter, it is important to ensure the temperature does not fall below 53 Fahrenheit (12 Celsius).
Container
Iresine herbstii has a shallow root system, so you should better choose a wide pot rather than a deep one. You need to lay a thick drainage layer on the bottom.
Fun fact
The leaves of Iresine bloodleaf are the source of a purple dye often used in cooking.