Nertera depressa
Pin cushion plant, Coral bead plant, English baby tears, Bead plant
Also known as Nertera granadensis
- Height × spread
- 0.02m × 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A delightful little plant that covers a flat surface with little round leaves and masses of little round berries coloured red or orange. Flowers precede the fruits, but they are hardly noticeable. This is a tender plant that requires a minimum temperature of 10C. It is easy to cause the stems to rot if watering is mismanaged - it likes plenty of moisture, but the water should enter the pot from the base rather than landing on the foliage. Stand the plant container in water and allow it to absorb water until the compost feels moist. Then lift it from the water bearing container so its feet don't continue to get wet. Give this a bright position. It can be kept dryer once the fruits have dried out in winter. It is said to be just slightly poisonous, so don't eat the fruits.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Orange, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.02m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Water by placing container in water
For best results stand container in water so the plant draws water up from the base. When the compost is thoroughly moistened, remove it from the water. When the compost is just dry repeat the procedure.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.