Rivina, also known as bloodberry, is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 10 feet in height. It is native to the tropical regions of South and Central America, but can be grown in other parts of the world as well. Rivina has glossy, dark green leaves and produces small, white flowers that turn into bright red berries. The berries are edible and have a sweet, tart flavor.
Is it easy to grow Rivina plant? Unless you have a green thumb, you may find it difficult to keep rivina plants alive. These tropical understory plants hail from Central and South America and require warm, humid conditions to thrive. If you live in an area with cool winters, you'll need to bring your rivina indoors or grow it in a greenhouse.
How big can it be? So, if you have this plant at home, it's better to cut it regularly to help it maintain its shape.
How fast is the growth? The Rivina humilis or Bloodberry plant is a native plant to the southeastern United States. It typically grows in swampy or wet areas and can reach a height of 6-8 feet. The Bloodberry plant has green heart-shaped leaves and produces small white flowers that turn into bright red berries. The berries are about the size of a dime and are poisonous if ingested. The Bloodberry plant is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and can be found in many nurseries.
| Plant Form | Shrub |
| Family | Phytolaccaceae |
| Origin | Subtropical America |
How long is the lifespan? Common names include bloodberry, rougeplant, and pigeonberry. Rivina is a genus of flowering plants in the family Portulacaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. A number of its species are cultivated as ornamental plants. Rivina plants are perennial herbs with fleshy roots. The leaves are alternate, simple, and often have red veins. The flowers are small and borne in clusters. The fruits are berries that turn red when ripe. The bloodberry (Rivina humilis) is a low-growing Rivina species native to the southeastern United States. It is a common ornamental plant in gardens and parks. The bloodberry gets its name from the red juice that is released when the berries are crushed.
What is the ideal temperature? Because it is a tropical plant, it cannot tolerate cold winters. It can only tolerate a minimum temperature of 53.6-59°F. The optimum temperature is 75.2°F, which is only possible in the summer.
What about the humidity? So, in order to achieve the ideal conditions for your Rivina plant at home, you will need to provide high humidity. You can do this by grouping your Rivina plant with other plants or by placing it on a pebble tray filled with water. It's also a good idea to mist your Rivina plant daily with soft water.
What amount of light this plant needed? If you are growing Rivina indoors, it needs a bright diffused light. The best location for Rivina is near an east or west facing window. If you cannot provide bright diffused light, you can grow Rivina under fluorescent lights.
What is good soil for Rivina? Sometimes, it is not easy to get the right kind of soil for your Rivina plant. The plant needs well-drained soil with neutral reaction. The perfect soil mix for the plant is two parts sod land, one part humus, one part leaf land, and one part coarse sand or perlite. The soil should not be too fertile. To ensure that the plant gets the right amount of drainage, always use a pot with a hole.
How much I must water Rivina? Although this plant is native to hot and humid regions, it will do well in almost any indoor environment. The Rivina has dark green, glossy leaves that are 6-8 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. The Rivina is a fast grower, and can reach up to 10 feet in height. It is an evergreen, meaning it will keep its leaves year-round. The Rivina does best in bright, indirect light, but can also tolerate low light. When watering, be sure to soak the soil thoroughly, and then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, you can water the Rivina less often, as it will go into a semi-dormant state.
About fertilizer. Common ly, this plant is fed every two to four weeks with a liquid fertilizer that has a reduced nitrogen content. However, during the months of May to September, only half the recommended dose should be used. This is because an excess of nitrogen will cause the Rivina to grow faster, but it may also cease to bear fruit.
How to reproduce Rivina? Since this plant is a perennial, it can be propagated by stem cuttings. For this, cuttings are taken from young shoots 10-12 cm long, which are rooted in a mixture of peat and sand at a temperature of 68-75.2 degrees Fahrenheit. The container in which the cuttings are rooting is covered with glass or polyethylene. A plant can blossom in the same year. You can also propagate Rivina by seeds, but they must be sown in spring at a temperature of 75.2-77 degrees Fahrenheit in mini-greenhouses. The soil for sowing should be a mixture of peat and sand.
Why Rivina won't bloom? Eventually, the flowers give way to small red berries. The berries are decorative and last longer than the blooms.
How much I must water Rivina? Because Rivin better blooms close pot, it is transplanted annually in spring. Pots should not be large and deep.
How to care the plant? Eventually, Rivina will need regular pruning of shoots in the spring to keep it looking decorative.
What is the challenge when caring Rivina plant? Eventually, it can be affect by arachnid, thrips, and scale pests. The berries may also collapse due to a lack of light or if the temperature gets too high in winter. The leaves may fall if the roots are rotting from too much watering or if the temperature is too high in winter and there is insufficient lighting.
Are Rivina poisonous? Because all parts of the Rivina plant are poisonous if ingested, it is important to take care when handling this plant. When eaten, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms that are not life threatening. With prompt medical attention, these symptoms are usually not serious.
