A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 iresine (red)

i am wondering about this lovely red plant,
i love the deep red foliage, but is it supposed to remain straight and tall at about 12inches or so, or should i let it fall and spread out....

it also seem to want a drink everyday....is this normal?


i guess my question is what should this plant look like?
Milli

Hi Milli! Could you get a picture of this plant and we could help you out more?

Here it is...

I have iresine growing outside. They do love water. They have fairly succulent stems. They will also get very leggy and flop over. But you can cut them back and they will reward you with more lush foliage. They also root very easily and you can have more and more plants.
Here is a pic of mine in January.

It looks like you have the type with more rounded leaves. I have read about them but hadn't seen any before.

thanks...so it is a thirsty plant. I think mine will have to remain indoors until it is well established, and larger,
then maybe i can keep it outside next summer.
Milli

Those are very very pretty. I'll have to keep my eye out for some. I'd like some for my apartment. I love having colorful plants in my apartment during the winter.

i actually found a way to deal with the constant watering...i bought 1 of those watering bulbs that have terracotta stems.
the stem is about 3-4 inches deep and goes right into the pot. it is filled with water then a plastic bulb that hold about 4-5 ounces of water goes into the terracotta stem. that water is slowly released into the soil over 2-3 weeks.
whew!!!!

That is a very pretty plant! I will have to watch for one of those also. That would add color to my house. Most of my houseplants are only green.