Have you ever heard of the expression “green finger”? It is used to identify that group of people full of skills to take care of plants. You must have an aunt with this characteristic, certainly! Although not everyone has this ability, the good news is the existence of pleomes.
With luck, some species are so easy to care for that they can live in practically every home: this is the case with her. “A very resistant plant that is difficult to kill”, reveals the landscaper Cate Poli.
family of dracaenasthe pleomele has two variations: the verde it’s at varied. The first of them is the most resistant and can live in a sunny, semi-shaded or indirect natural lighting environment. “The variegata should be in a sunny or semi-shaded corner”, warns Catê.
Native to Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands, it stands out for its singular beauty and for being extremely versatile, adapting to both the landscaping regarding interior decoration.
Cultivation of both species can be carried out in pots or in hedges. “It does very well on the coast and the hedges can reach 4 meters in height”, explains the landscaper. However, pleomele growth is slow. So, it takes a little patience.
A pleomele and an aglaonema (the lowest plant) fill the dining room of this apartment with life (CASA CLAUDIA/Reproduction)
Some characteristics of pleomele
Sheets: Long, narrow and pointed, with vibrant colors that vary from dark green to light green, cream and yellow, and may have stripes or variegated edges.
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Stalk: Erect, branched and with a semi-woody texture, reaching up to 3 meters in height indoors and up to 6 meters in its natural habitat.
Growth: Moderate, requiring little maintenance.
Climate: It adapts to tropical and subtropical climates, tolerating temperatures between 18°C and 30°C.
Luz: It prefers environments with indirect light, but tolerates a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning or late afternoon.
Rega: Moderate, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
Solo: Rich in organic matter and well drained.
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Toxicity: Slightly toxic to pets and children if ingested.
Glass with variegata pleomele (@chacaratropical/Instagram)
Care for this species
Regarding watering, the tip is to water the pleomele only when the soil is dry to the touch, avoiding waterlogging which could rot the roots. But it is important to keep the land well drained. “Vases are always leaky. Because if there is too much water retained, it rots”, says Catê.
“And it’s very easy to molt the pleomele”, says the specialist. Just cut a branch and place it in water. In other words: you can still easily distribute this ornamental and very tropical plant. Take the opportunity to give gifts to friends!