The Apostle Plant is an iris for the indoors! Its foliage is a peaceful and fresh, almost-glossy shade of green. Its soft upright leaves grow very much like the Iris you've seen outdoors. It blooms in quite an unusual way. Its beautiful blossoms, which look just like an iris, last for just one day. It will bloom again from the very same bud! The one pictured above is just starting its spring blooming period and will bring me many more joyous flowers over the next month.
One of its growth patterns it to send out runners with a baby plantlet at the end. Those can can be clipped off the runner at the base of the plant, then where the the new plant is attached to the runner. The new baby plant can then be and rooted in water and potted up when the roots are few inches long.
The Apostle Plant or Neomarica gracilis is sometime known as a Walking Iris. It is native to Mexico and Brazil as well as other parts of South America. It is one of the easiest to grow indoor blooming plants that I've had the pleasure of nurturing
The Apostle Plant or Neomarica gracilis is sometime known as a Walking Iris. It is native to Mexico and Brazil as well as other parts of South America. It is one of the easiest to grow indoor blooming plants that I've had the pleasure of nurturing
I hope that is sold somewhere! In many years of working in the indoor plant business, I have never seen this plant for sale. A friend gave me a plantlet that was growing from her plant, which rooted in water very easily, and it has been a pleasure to own. You may want to ask your nursery or garden center about availability.
Care Instructions---
Care Instructions---
- Strong indirect light. Direct morning sun is good for it. Full afternoon sun is too strong and the leaves will fade in color if it gets too much sun. Right in front of a north or east facing window is a great place for them.
- Water when the soil is dry about 1/2"( or 1-2 cm) below the soil surface. In large pots that are 10"(25cm) or wider in diameter, the soil can dry out a bit more.
- When ready, water a plant in a 6"(15cm) pot with about a pint of water, in a 8" (20cm) diameter container, about 1quart (almost a liter) and in a 10" (25cm)diameter container use about 2 quarts (almost 2 liters) of water.
- Prefers temperatures above 50 °F
- Adapts well to normal home humidity
- Fertilize regularly for best blooming.
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| Runners with New Plants |
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**To watch short video clips on plant care from my 90's TV series, click here:
©2014
What causes the tips to turn brown?
ReplyDeleteUsually it's because the soil dried out a bit too much before a watering. It's ok to snip off the brown ends. It's a forgiving plant and can continue to grow beautifully if care is usually consistent.
ReplyDelete