Houstonia caerulea aka Quaker Ladies

Taxonomy

Houstonia caerulea, also known as azure bluet, Quaker ladies, or bluets, is a perennial species in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to eastern Canada, from Ontario to Newfoundland, and the eastern United States, from Maine to Wisconsin, and south to Florida and Louisiana, with scattered populations in Oklahoma. This plant can be found in a variety of habitats, including cliffs, alpine zones, forests, meadows, and shores of rivers or lakes. The plant produces showy flowers that are approximately 1 cm across, with four-parted pale blue petals and a yellow center. The foliage is a basal rosette, and stems can grow up to 20 cm tall with one flower per stalk. Houstonia caerulea thrives in moist acidic soils in shady areas, growing especially well among grasses. Although Azure Bluet is a super rare houseplant, it is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. The plant likes soil that is well-draining, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Houstonia caerulea belongs to the Houstonia genus and is native to Eastern Canada and the United States.

Common names

Quaker Ladies, Azure Bluet

How to care for Quaker Ladies

Difficulty

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

Water

Quaker Ladies should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Quaker Ladies 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

To ensure optimal growth, the Quaker Ladies prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Quaker Ladies to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

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 Quaker Ladies 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

The Quaker Ladies is characterized by clumping growth, with new shoots emerging from the soil around the primary plant.


More info:
Wikipedia