Tag Archives: Clerodendrum

Clerodendrum

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Clerodendrum_bungei800The Clerodendrum genus is a large group of plants that contains many interesting specimens which are suitable for indoor growth. The exact number of plants in the Clerodendrum genus is a matter of some confusion—some references list only 200 species, while others go up to 400 or 500. Originally, Clerodendrum were native to tropical Asia and the Eastern hemisphere, although they have since been acclimated throughout the world. Although there is wide variation in the genus, these are typically fast-growing, semi-woody shrubs of between two feet and eight feet in height. They often have large, very beautiful foliage and spectacular clumps of flowers that rise above the leaves in a showy display. In very warm, almost tropical conditions, the plants will bloom year-round, but it’s more likely in temperate growing conditions they will only bloom in the summer growing season. Some species of Clerodendrum produce suckers at the base of the mother plant that can be used for propagation.

klirodendronGrowing Conditions:

Light: Light requirements vary by species. Some require full sun to bloom and perform well; some prefer dappled sunlight. The most common varieties generally prefer slightly strong light.
Water: Ample and regular water during the growing season. If your winters are warm enough, continue watering well throughout the winter. If the winters are cooler, reduce watering in the winter.
Soil: A rich, peat-based potting soil with excellent drainage is beneficial.
Fertilizer: Feed with a weak liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Cut fertilizer back to once a month or so in the winter.

Propagation:

Clerodendrum can be propagated by seed, stem-tip cuttings, and removing suckers on more mature plants. To take a stem-tip cutting, remove a portion of the stem several inches long, dip into rooting hormone and place into a fresh pot with potting soil. To root a sucker, it’s best to remove the stem during repotting and include some of the roots with it, then pot it up into a fresh pot.

Repotting:

Клеродендрум-душистый-Repot in the early spring for perennials. Many people grow Clerodendrum as annuals, especially indoors, where they are fast growing enough to provide a lovely display, including their magnificent flowers, but can be tricky to get through a long winter. When you repot, keep in mind that your plant might naturally want to be seven feet tall, so step up the pot size slowly to reduce its growth rate.

Varieties:

There are many, many species of Clerodendrum available to the trade, mostly sold as outdoor annuals or perennials, depending on your climate. Some of the most common ones include:

  • C. paniculatum. Commonly known as the pagoda flower, a flowering shrub that grows to 8 feet tall and has been planted for decades throughout the American South. Features orange-red tubular flowers.
  • C. japonicum. A 5- to 6-foot shrub with large, felt-covered leaves and red flowers. Does best in dappled sunlight.
  • C. bungei. Commonly known as the pink glower bower, a shrub of about 4 feet in height that blooms in the winter and early spring.

Grower’s Tips:

The ideal situation for a Clerodendrum is probably to keep the plant outside on your patio or balcony throughout the summer, then move it inside during the winter months to coax it through cold weather. When you move inside, watch out for pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and mites. Signs of infestation include tiny webs on plants, clumps of white “powdery” residue, or visible insects on the plant. Treat infestations as soon as possible to prevent them from spreading to the rest of your collection. As always, start with the least toxic treatment option first, only progressing to more serious chemicals if your initial efforts fail.