Persea borbonia aka Tisswood

Taxonomy

Persea borbonia, also known as redbay, tisswood, scrubbay, shorebay, and swampbay, is a species of evergreen tree in the Lauraceae family. It is native to the Southeastern United States and can grow as either a small tree or a large shrub. The leaves are lance-shaped, arranged alternately, and emit a spicy fragrance when crushed. They vary in color from bright green to dark green and are about 3 to 6 inches long. The tree produces small, blue or black drupe fruits. Redbay is a perennial with a non-herbaceous, lignified stem. Red Bay is also a super rare houseplant that 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. Red Bay likes well-draining soil and shouldn't need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. The Persea genus includes about 150 species of evergreen trees, including bays and the avocado.

Common names

Tisswood, Red Bay, Swamp Redbay

How to care for Tisswood

Difficulty

Tisswood requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

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

Soil

Tisswood 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 Tisswood prefers bright diffused 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

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Tisswood does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Tisswood should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Tisswood’s native range is Central, South America and Southeast Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia