Claytonia rubra aka Redstem Springbeauty

Taxonomy

Claytonia rubra is a species of wildflower in the family Montiaceae known by the common names redstem springbeauty and erubescent miner's lettuce. It is native to western North America from southwestern Canada to the United States, and can be found in coniferous forests and shrublands. This annual herb has stems up to 15 centimeters long, and its basal leaves have small rounded to diamond-shaped blades on long, tapering petioles. In addition to these, there are stem leaves which may be rounded or squared and sometimes fuse together to create a bowl around the stem. All the leaves have blunt (obtuse) tips and the herbage is red or pink in color. The inflorescence is a dense cluster of up to 30 tiny flowers, each with white to pink-tinted petals less than 4 millimeters long. It is also characterized by tiny, minute, shortened, tuberous bodies in the absence of a periderm. Redstem Springbeauty is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering and should be in abundant sunlight, placed less than 3 feet from a window. It likes soil that is well draining and should be repotted each time it doubles in size as it does not need added fertilizers.

Common names

Redstem Springbeauty, Red Stemmed Spring Beauty, Erubescent Miner's Lettuce

How to care for Redstem Springbeauty

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Redstem Springbeauty is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Redstem Springbeauty should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Redstem Springbeauty loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Redstem Springbeauty requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Red Stemmed Spring Beauty is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Redstem Springbeauty should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Redstem Springbeauty as it grows vertically.


More info:
Wikipedia