Christia obcordata
Butterfly plant, Swallow tail plant
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.6m
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Any
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright indirect light, no sun or shade
- Indoor temperature
- 15C/60F minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
General houseplant fertiliser
Feed this plant with a general houseplant fertiliser.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed regularly during growth
Feed the plant regularly during growth for improved foliage. Don't feed the plant in winter. Follow the feed manufacturer's directions for the amount of feed to use.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Keep moist, but not standing in water
Keep moist at all times. Water more sparingly in winter, keep the compost just moist.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Soak completely when watering
Water until water comes out of the bottom of the pot. Leave for 30 minutes or so until the compost is fully moist, then pour away the excess water so the plant pot is not standing in water. (This avoids waterlogging which can cause "root rot".)
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
Average or warm room, min 15C/60F
This plant thrives in average or warm rooms when grown as a houseplant (average room temperature is around 20C/68F). The minimum advisable temperatures at night and in the colder months are 15C/60F.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, not sunny or shady
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun and not in the shade. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves, while shade can risk losing the variegated colour from the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the winter.
Indoor plant · Planting
Prune damaged leaves
You can remove old, dead or tattered leaves. However do not remove a lot of viable but damaged leaves at any one time, leaving the plant with too few leaves. Carefully cut them off using secateurs, try not to damage the stems.
Indoor plant · Planting
Dust plant
Plants need dusting every now and again to maintain their ability to absorb light and moisture. Wipe large leaves with a damp kitchen towel (don't use "wet wipes" that likely contain scents or other chemicals). Spray small leaves with water.