Bouvardia

Family - Rubiaceae. Native range - the subtropics of the Americas.

A low-growing evergreen shrub, a rare plant in indoor cultivation. With good care the shrub reaches a height of 70 cm, but after several years it may die even in skilled hands, so it is renewed every 2-3 years.

The plant has dark green ovate leathery leaves up to 5 cm long. Flowers from July to November with fragrant white-pink or pink tubular flowers (single or double), gathered in corymb-like inflorescences at the ends of 1-2 year shoots. After flowering a dormant period follows.

Placement. The plant requires bright light with slight shading at midday in summer. In winter keep cool, but at a temperature not below 12 °C, in summer 18-25 °C. The plant is moisture-loving; regular misting is necessary.

Watering from spring until the end of flowering is abundant, in winter - limited. In summer it is desirable to take outdoors. After flowering the plant is pinched to stimulate the formation of young shoots. During the growing period it is fed with mineral fertilizers 2-3 times a month.

Young plants are shifted 3-4 times a year; mature plants are repotted as needed in spring every 1-4 years. Soil - turf soil, leaf mold, sand (2:2:1).

Pests and diseases. Main pests - spider mite, aphids.

Propagation. By rooting cuttings in the spring-summer period, and also by division when repotting.