Azistasia

Family Acanthaceae. A succulent decorative foliage plant, widespread in southern and southwestern Africa. Grows slowly, reaching up to 70 cm in height.

The genus Azistasia (Asystasia Blume) comprises about 20 species of herbs and shrubs, native to tropical Asia, southern Africa and Oceania, of the acanthus family (Acanthaceae).

In floriculture one species is cultivated, the beautiful azistasia. It is a semi-shrub of the acanthus family. Its renewal buds persist for several years, while the upper shoots die back annually. Azistasia is grown for its large beautiful lilac flowers gathered into large racemose inflorescences.

In tropical countries Aystasia gangetica (the name comes from the Ganges River in India) is widely used. It is common in tropical Asia and southern Africa. It is used in landscaping gardens and parks in the tropical zone. It has beautiful delicate white flowers with lilac veins. The leaves are used by locals as a salad green.

In nature the plant propagates by seeds, which are ejected a short distance from the mature and opened capsule.

Azistasia is quite unpretentious, yet rather rare. It does well in a bright location and tolerates direct sunlight. However, if there was little sun during the autumn-winter period, it should be accustomed to direct rays gradually to avoid sunburn.

From early spring until autumn azistasia is watered abundantly. In winter water sparingly, making sure the soil does not dry out. Air temperature in the winter period is lowered to 12-15°C; with a sharper drop in temperature leaf drop may occur.

Azistasia tolerates dry air well and does not require spraying.

From spring to autumn every two weeks feed with mineral and organic fertilizers for houseplants at the usual concentration.

Azistasia grows very quickly, and under favorable conditions produces strong long shoots during the spring-summer season. To give the plant a more lush crown, pinching and pruning are necessary (since it is unknown when the flower buds form, I cannot state the exact timing for pruning). With age the trunk of azistasia becomes woody, and it appears like a tree with pendulous shoots.

Azistasia is repotted every spring into a substrate consisting of leaf mold and sod soil with added sand (4:4:2). Young plants are repotted every year, mature ones every 2-3 years. The root system of azistasia is well developed.

In nature azistasia reproduces by seeds, but in domestic conditions it is propagated by apical stem cuttings, as well as by shoots left after pruning.

Cuttings are rooted in spring; to help them root better and faster they are placed in a light substrate or put in water, maintaining a temperature of 20-25°C.

Lighting: bright, diffused, tolerates some direct sunlight well.

Temperature: summer 20-25°C, autumn-winter period 12-15°C.

Watering: abundant in summer; in winter reduce watering, ensuring the substrate does not dry out but is not excessively waterlogged.

Air humidity: does not play a significant role.

Fertilization: from spring to autumn every two weeks; do not fertilize during the dormant period.

Pruning: necessary for a dense crown and flowering. Also pinch young shoots.

Dormant period: (September-February), temperature 12-15°C, watering regular, do not fertilize.

Repotting: in spring, young plants annually, mature ones as needed every 2-3 years.

Propagation: with semi-woody cuttings in spring and summer.