Costus ruby

Costus ruby Care

Costus erythrophyllus

What is the plant

Costus Ruby is a tropical rhizomatous plant. It comes from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and southern Brazil. However, with proper care, it can become a decoration for your home or office.

Costus Ruby is the tallest member of its species. This perennial's height can reach up to 4 feet (1.5 m). The root system consists of numerous roots thickened at the ends. Its main feature is spiral-shaped sprouts that allow it to get the most sunlight. The leaves are large and oblong, and flowering occurs brightly, as each flower has white petals and a pink center.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

16°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Costus Ruby does not tolerate drought, and it loves watering with warm, soft water. You need to water the plant when the topsoil is dry. In winter, the flower should get water not so often but regularly. However, you must avoid liquid stagnation.
Pruning
Costus Ruby does not require special pruning. You can only remove dried leaves and branches from time to time.
Fertilizer
Feed from April to October with a complex organo-mineral fertilizer for ornamental flowering plants. In winter, the plant does not need fertilizer. The plant responds well to fertilizers with equal sodium, potassium, and phosphorus content.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Costus ruby needs diffused sunlight. Try to create conditions where the plant will receive a lot of light in the morning and evening. However, protect it from direct rays during the day.
Soil
The soil for Costus Ruby should be nutritious, neutral, loose, and air and water permeable with plenty of drainage. The optimal composition is 70% coco or universal potting soil + 30% inert loosening agents (river sand, vermiculite, perlite).
Propagation
You can propagate Costus Ruby by seed all year round or cuttings from June to September. Sprouts appear in the axils of the upper leaves. They can be rooted in a mixture of peat and sand (1:1). After the roots appear, you can move the plant to a pot.

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Temperature
During the summer, the temperature should be 64-77 degrees Fahrenheit (18-25 Celsius). In winter, you can lower it to 61-65 Fahrenheit (16-18 Celsius). However, this plant can tolerate a short-term drop in temperature to 40 (5) degrees.
Container
The root system of Costus Ruby is long and horizontal, so you should choose a deep and not too-wide container with drainage holes. You should lay fresh drainage on the bottom every year in early spring.
Fun fact
Costus Ruby is a good remedy for asthma attacks.