Hypericum hypericoides aka St. Andrew's Cross

Taxonomy

Genus Hypericum Family Hypericaceae Order Malpighiales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Hypericum hypericoides, also known as St. Andrew's cross, is a species of flowering plant in the Hypericaceae family. It is native to the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, and prefers to grow in dry woods on acidic soil. This small shrub or shrublet produces yellow flowers with four petals, and there are two subspecies, hypericoides and multicaule, though the latter is often classified as a separate species, Hypericum stragulatum. Another species in the Hypericum genus is Hypericum prolificum, or shrubby St. John's wort. This Missouri native plant is found on rocky ground, dry wooded slopes, uncultivated fields, gravel bars along streams, and in low, moist valleys. It is a compact, deciduous, rounded shrub that typically grows 1-4 feet tall and produces bright yellow, 5-petaled flowers with numerous yellow stamens. The stamens are bushy, partially obscuring the petals, giving the species its name of prolificum. Flowers appear in terminal or axillary clusters from early to mid-summer, followed by cone-shaped seed capsules that split in autumn to release black seeds. The bark of older stems exfoliates to reveal attractive, pale orange inner bark. St. Andrew's Cross is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering to thrive, and does best in long-lasting, direct light less than a foot away from a window. It prefers well-draining soil and should be repotted each time it doubles in size to avoid the need for added fertilizers. St. Andrew's Cross is also part of the Hypericum genus and is native to the Central and Eastern United States.

Common names

St. Andrew's Cross

How to care for St. Andrew's Cross

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for St. Andrew's Cross, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

St. Andrew's Cross should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

St. Andrew's Cross 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 St. Andrew's Cross 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 wintertime, it is common for St. Andrew's Cross plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Fertilizer

The growth of St. Andrew's Cross is not rapid and it doesn't necessitate any extra fertilization. By replacing its potting soil once a year, it should receive ample nutrition. It is important to note that plants obtain their energy from the sun's rays, not from fertilizers.

Region of origin

St. Andrew's Cross’s native range is Eastern N. America - Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.

More info:
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More Species in Hypericum Genus

Hypericum hypericoides St. Andrew's Cross

Hypericum laricifolium

Hypericum nummularium Round Leaved St John's Wort

Hypericum bellum

Hypericum drummondii Drummond's St. Johnswort

Hypericum mutilum Dwarf Saint John's Wort

Hypericum microsepalum Flatwoods St. Johnswort

Hypericum androsaemum Tutsan

Hypericum myrtifolium Myrtleleaf St. Johnswort

Hypericum montanum Pale St. John's Wort