Brighten up your space with the butterfly wing plant, known for its unique, wing-shaped leaves and eye-catching colors.
The butterfly plant, also known as Christia obcordata, gets its name from the shape of its leaves. The leaves are shaped like triangles, which makes the plant look pretty and special. It comes from Brazil and South Asia and is often used to cover the ground in gardens.
Butterfly plants are pretty easy to take care of. Just place them in a spot that gets bright, indirect sunlight. After that, you only need to water them once in a while when the soil feels dry.
These plants do well indoors because they like warm temperatures and regular watering. In warm places near the equator, they can live outside all year. If they’re happy, they can grow up to 12 inches tall and really stand out with their unique look.
In its native home, the butterfly plant grows so much that some gardeners around the world think of it as a weed.
Propagating Butterfly Wing Plant
It’s easy to grow more of this plant by using cuttings. To do this, choose healthy stems that don’t have flowers and cut them just below a leaf joint (called a node).
Plant the cuttings in soil that drains well and keep the soil moist, but not too wet. Place the pot in a spot with indirect light and a steady temperature. This helps the cuttings grow roots and become new, healthy plants.
Requirements for Growing Butterfly Wing Plant
Location
Your butterfly plant likes bright, indirect sunlight. It can live in medium to low light, but it might not grow as well.
Soil
Water
The butterfly plant likes its soil to stay moist. Water it when the top half of the soil feels dry. Always water until it runs out of the drainage hole, then throw away any extra water in the saucer. Try not to get the leaves wet, as this can cause mildew to grow.
Temperature and Humidity
The butterfly plant grows well in normal indoor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. Don’t let it get too cold, and keep it away from drafts.
Your butterfly plant is happy with normal indoor humidity. But if the air is very dry, it will enjoy being misted now and then.
Fertilizer
Feed your butterfly plant once a month during the growing season with a regular plant fertilizer. Always water the plant first to protect the roots from getting burned.
Pests and Diseases
This plant is vulnerable to spider mites; you can get rid of this problem by spraying the infected area with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Repeat the process weekly until the infestation is cured.
