Cyanotis

Cyanotis description

Cyanotis belongs to the Commelin family. These are herbaceous ground cover perennials (although there are also annual species). They grow rapidly, forming a thick blanket of medium-sized fluffy leaves. It is thanks to the pubescence inherent in all types of cyanotis that flower growers jokingly call it "hairy house plant". Indoor cyanotis do not often pamper their owners with flowering, but definitely every flowering is worth waiting for. Bright flowers, surrounded by unusual stipules, look magical and amaze with their "fur" effect.
Despite the status of an exotic plant, it is not at all difficult to care for cyanotis.

Cyanotis cultivation and care

Lighting. Cyanotis needs good lighting throughout the year, but at the same time, in order to avoid burns, direct sunlight is contraindicated for the plant. You can place it on the windowsill, but with the obligatory shading in the daytime. In winter, when the daylight hours are very short, the plant may need additional lighting in the morning and evening.

Air temperature and humidity. Cool wintering is not a prerequisite for growing cyanotis. If possible, then place the plant for the winter months in a room with an air temperature of + 12 ... + 15 degrees. If this is not possible, then the plant will feel great at a temperature of about +20 degrees all year round. It should also be noted that the plant does not need a special increase in air humidity, and spraying from a spray bottle is simply contraindicated for it, like all plants with pubescent leaves.

Watering. Water the plant sparingly during the spring / summer period to keep the soil in the flower pot moist, but not wet. In winter, watering is reduced to a minimum, allowing the soil to almost completely dry out. For irrigation, use only settled water at room temperature. In the process of watering, care must be taken that water does not fall on the fluffy leaves.

Fertilizers. Starting in March, when the plants wake up after winter, fertilizing should be done twice a month. Top dressing is carried out in liquid form, immediately after watering, you can use any fertilizer for indoor decorative deciduous plants.

Cyanotis transplant

You can repot the plant every two years. At the bottom of the flower pot, it is imperative to pour expanded clay, which should occupy at least a quarter of the capacity. The soil mixture for cyanotis consists of peat, humus, leafy earth and sand, which must be mixed in equal parts. Or you can buy ready-made soil for cacti and succulents. The main thing is to achieve maximum soil looseness.

Cyanotis reproduction

The plant is propagated in two ways: by sowing seeds and by rooting cuttings.

The cultivation of cyanotis from seeds is not practiced very often, since young seedlings are very fragile and can die at the slightest deviation from the rules of care: with waterlogging or insufficient watering, with temperature jumps, from a draft.

Rooting stem cuttings guarantees excellent results and a new plant in no time. Cuttings can be placed in water or deepened into the soil - the roots will appear in either case. Until the moment of rooting and then another couple of weeks, the plant must be shaded from sunlight.

Possible difficulties

Over-watering can cause plant roots to rot.In this case, it is necessary to promptly carry out an unscheduled transplant into a new container and treat the plant with a fungicide, having previously removed all affected parts.

Some types of harmful insects are not averse to feasting on the fluffy leaves of the plant: spider mites, scale insects, aphids. If you find intruders on the plant, then immediately isolate it from other indoor flowers and treat with an insecticidal preparation.

The most popular plant species

Three types of cyanotis are common as indoor plants:

Cyanotis kewensis or "cusian". Herbaceous perennial with creeping shoots, covered with many fleshy cordate-elongated leaves. The length of the leaves is about 3.5 cm, the upper part of the leaf plate is green and the lower part is purple. The flowers can be light red or lavender. And all parts of the plant are covered with fine hairs.

Cyanotis nodiflora or "knotty". Also a herbaceous perennial, but with an erect stem. Bright green pointed leaves on the seamy side can have a violet-green color, the pubescence is minimal. The flowers appear from the upper leaf axils, they, depending on the variety, can be light lilac, pink or blue.

Cyanotis somaliensis or "Somali". In this species, the upper part of the lanceolate leaves is smooth, and the lower part is densely covered with light, rather long hairs. Small flowers can be either single or collected in small inflorescences, and are colored bright purple or blue.