Dragon's Tongue

Dragon's Tongue Care

Hemigraphis repanda

What is the plant

Hemigraphis repanda is native to Malaysia and India. The first half of the scientific name “Hemigraphis” is a Greek word – hemi means “half” and graphis means a “stylus or paintbrush”. “Repanda” refers to the plant’s wavy leaf edges.

Dragon’s Tongue is a slow-growing perennial with a low growing growth habit reaching up to 8” inches tall. The green leaves are thin and narrow with a crinkly texture and boast hints of a dark purple or maroon color. The fine, colorful leaves usually reach up to 2” inches in length. When provided with the ideal growing condition, the small Hemigraphis Repanda plant produces pink or white flowers with five petals. The clear, vivid white flowers add a beautiful contrast to the earthy foliage plant. The tiny, delicate flowers usually bloom in early spring or summer and produce a light scent that attracts pollinators.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

5°C - 10°C

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The plant prefers occasional watering to keep the soil moist. Water when the soil feels dry as this evergreen perennial does not do well in extensive dry spells.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer. Apply a proper dose of the fertilizer every month in the blooming season, preferably in late spring. During fall and winter, do not fertilize the plant as it is dormant.
Sunlight
The Dragon Tongue prefers filtered light to develop fully. Bright, direct sunlight will burn the foliage so avoid placing Hemigraphis Repanda in full sun. The perennial Dragon’s Repanda is adaptable to low light. However, growing in low lighting slows down growth.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Dragon’s Tongue prefers evenly moist, porous and well-drained soil to grow well.
Temperature
Dragon’s Tongue enjoys being in a warm location, with average to high temperatures ranging from 40° to 60°F (4°–15°C). Make sure not to expose the plant to temperatures below 40°F (4°C).
Container
Choose a container with enough drainage holes.