Cryptanthus

Cryptanthus Care

Cryptanthus

What is the plant

This alien plant with tough leaves will be the highlight of your collection. It comes in different colors and sizes so everyone can find Cryptanthus to their taste.

Native to Brazil, this plant is also known as Earth Stars. The genus Cryptanthus is identified within 25 species and varieties, which come in different colors: from dark green to bright pink and red.
Plant lovers usually grow this easy-care plant for its unique leaves, but Cryptanthus also produce small beautiful white or pink flowers.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

21°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

min 9a

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
We can identify Cryptanthus as a tropical plant, so it loves well-moist soil. However, don’t let the plant stand in water because it attracts pests.
Pruning
Cryptanthus doesn’t require cutting for better growth, but you can remove dead leaves and blooms.
Fertilizer
Cryptanthus needs fertilizing for good growth, so use any balanced product every three weeks. But you should always dilute the fertilizer to avoid damaging the plant.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Sunlight
Different types of this plant need various types of lighting. However, the best option is indirect sunlight or partial shade because, in nature, Cryptanthus grows under cover of trees.
Soil
The perfect option is using mixtures based on peat moss because it has the necessary level of acidity. You can also use a mix of sand and compost.
Propagation
You can easily propagate this plant with offshoot pups appearing after blooming. Wait a couple of weeks when little plants develop root systems and then repot them individually.

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Temperature
This plant is perfect for growing indoors as it thrives at 60-85˚F (15-30°C).
Container
Choose terracotta pots with excellent drainage, large enough for the offsets that appear around the mother plant after it blooms. This material works perfectly since the porous material can provide a bit of oxygen to the roots to avoid rotting.
Fun fact
Each plant blooms only once, after which it produces offsets and dies.