Plantago lagopus aka Hare Foot Plantain

Taxonomy

Plantago lagopus, also known as the hare's foot plantain, is an annual herbaceous plant that can sometimes be perennial and can grow up to 47 cm. It belongs to the family Plantaginaceae and has a self-supporting growth form with simple, broad leaves. This plant is useful and its flowers are visited by Heliotaurus ruficollis, Malachius, Metopoplax origani, and brown argus. To care for this rare houseplant, it requires regular watering and should be placed in long-lasting, direct light less than 1 foot from a window. It prefers well-draining soil and does not require added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Hare Foot Plantain, Hare's Foot Plantain

How to care for Hare Foot Plantain

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Hare Foot Plantain due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Hare Foot Plantain should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Hare Foot Plantain 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 Hare Foot Plantain 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

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Hare Foot Plantain is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.


More info:
Wikipedia