Ligustrum vulgare aka European Privet
Taxonomy
Ligustrum vulgare, also known as wild privet, common privet, or European privet, is a species of evergreen shrub native to central and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwestern Asia. It can be found from Ireland and southwestern Sweden south to Morocco, and east to Poland and northwestern Iran. In the UK and Europe, wild privet is often included in mixed native hedge mixes to provide evergreen cover in winter. This plant produces small white flowers in the summer, followed by dark purple/black berries, which are well-used by local wildlife. It is a popular roosting and nesting habitat for birds and is the main caterpillar food plant of the privet hawk-moth, Sphinx ligustri. Wild Privet is also a rare houseplant and can be grown with regular watering and direct light. It prefers soil that is well-draining and does not require added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. This plant is part of the Ligustrum genus and is native to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor.
Common names
European Privet, Common Privet, Privet, Wild PrivetHow to care for European Privet
Difficulty
Caring for European Privet is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
European Privet should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
European Privet 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 European Privet 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.
Toxicity
European Privet is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
The European Privet 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.
Region of origin
European Privet’s native range is Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.
More info:
Wikipedia
