song of India
A tropical evergreen shrub with upright, sparsely branching stems, and narrow, glossy green leaves borne in whorls around the tips of the stems. Mature plants sometimes produce clusters of small white flowers on hanging stems, followed by orange-red berries
1.5-2.5 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderately in the growing season, preferably with rainwater as plants dislike tapwater. Apply a balanced liquid feed monthly in the growing season; water sparingly in winter. Top dress or pot on in spring. See dracaena for further advice
Propagate by seed, sown at 18-20°C in spring, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late spring to early summer; bottom heat may be required for rooting
No pruning required, although weak stems may be shortened to 15cm in spring, and the resulting cutting used to propagate a new plant
May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite, Thrips and mealybugs
Generally disease-free