Cyanotis, also known as blue-flowered wax plant, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. Cyanotis plants are herbaceous, perennial, and evergreen. They have opposite, simple leaves and flowers that are borne in the leaf axils. The flowers are bisexual and have five petals. The fruit is a capsule.
Is it easy to grow Cyanotis plant? The plant is easy to grow and recommended for beginners. It is a good plant for people who are new to gardening or who do not have a lot of experience. The plant is also easy to care for and does not require a lot of maintenance.
How big can it be? If you are looking for a plant that will not take over your garden, the Cyanotis is a good choice. It only reaches a height of 10 cm.
How fast is the growth? If you want your Cyanotis plant to grow rapidly, you should give it an abundance of branches to climb on. This will help it to lengthen by about 10 cm per year. In addition, make sure to provide plenty of fertilizer and water so that it can proliferate in width.
| Plant Form | Grassy |
| Family | Commelinaceae |
| Origin | East Africa |
How long is the lifespan? Since it is a perennial plant, it can live for more than two years. The average lifespan of a Cyanotis plant is three to five years. However, some Cyanotis plants have been known to live for up to ten years.
What is the ideal temperature? While the temperature in summer is ideal to be around 64.4-75.2 degrees Fahrenheit, it is necessary to keep the temperature at least 53.6-59 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to prevent the effect of cold air on the plant.
What about the humidity? Unless the plant is in a pot with wet claydite, it won't grow optimally. The plant doesn't need to be sprayed because it's pubescent.
What amount of light this plant needed? So, it's best to give your Cyanotis plant bright scattered light and at least 3 hours per day of direct sun. If you can't provide enough illumination, the stems can be stretched, and if the light is too bright, the leaves become purple. East and west windows are suitable.
What is good soil for Cyanotis? Because the plant prefers loose soil, it is best to not use soil that is rich in organic matter. To prepare the soil, mix 1 part compost soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, and 1 part sod land. Good drainage is required.
How much I must water Cyanotis? known that it loves moisture, but does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. The plant is very thermophilic, so in winter it is recommended to water it less often, and in spring and summer - 2 times a week. The soil should be moderately moist. You can not allow the formation of water on the leaves, otherwise white spots will appear on them.
About fertilizer. Sometimes, people ask me how to care for their Cyanotis plants. I tell them that in spring and summer, they should fertilize their plants with liquid fertilizer once a month. With more frequent fertilizing, the plant grows rapidly, but the shoots are formed weak.
How to reproduce Cyanotis? known that this plant multiplies well by apical cuttings about 8 cm long. The stalk is planted in a mixture of peat and moss either in sand or directly into the soil. It is easily rooted in water. Also, in the pot, it is desirable to plant several cuttings at once. Can be propagated by planting overgrown plants.
Why Cyanotis won't bloom? Although it blooms in the summer, the blooms are small and not very showy. The flowers have purple corollas with three petals.
How much I must water Cyanotis? known that the plant grows quite slowly, so the pot will require a little, and the plant is transplanted when a "bald patch" is formed in the center. When transplanting, you should be careful, because the shoots are fragile and break easily. Broken cuttings are planted in the center, in a vacant place.
How to care the plant? Sometimes, when you hear the word cyanotis, you think of the color blue. But this plant is an interesting green. The care for a cyanotis is easy and it can be grown in a terrarium or in a bottle garden. A bottle garden is when you grow plants in a clear container, so you can see the roots grow. The terrarium is a great way to keep the plant moist, because it has a lid that can be opened for ventilation and to add water.
What is the challenge when caring Cyanotis plant? Because it is very susceptible to all sorts of diseases and pests. For example, it is affected by a mealybug. The tips of the leaves dry, when its too dry. The lower parts of the shoots bare with the age of the plant, this is a normal process. The leaves can turn yellow, become transparent and rot while the plant is over-watered. The stems are drawn, and the leaves become smaller with a lack of light, especially in the heat content of the winter. Brown spots from dried tissue are the result of a sunburn. Especially often they occur when water gets on the leaves, which is desirable to avoid or remove water droplets with a cotton swab.
Are Cyanotis poisonous? Eventually, all parts of the Cyanotis plant are poisonous if ingested. The toxins present in the plant can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea in humans and animals. In severe cases, the toxins can cause convulsions and even death. The plant is also known to be a skin irritant, so it is best to avoid contact with the plant if possible.
