Tsuga mertensiana aka Mountain Hemlock

Taxonomy

Tsuga mertensiana, commonly known as Mountain Hemlock, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the west coast of North America, with its northwestern limit on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, and its southeastern limit in northern Tulare County, California. It is a large tree, with adult specimens reaching heights of up to 59 m (194 ft). Its bark is thin and square-cracked or furrowed, and grey in color, and its crown shape is conic in young trees, becoming cylindric in older specimens. Needles are bluish-green in color, 7 to 25 mm (0.3 to 1 in) long, arranged spirally all around the shoot. Cones are small and cylindrical, 30 to 80 mm (1 to 3 in) long, with thin, flexible scales 8 to 18 mm (5⁄16 to 11⁄16 in) long. Mountain Hemlock is an uncommon houseplant, which needs regular watering and should be situated in a bright spot no more than 1 foot away from a window. It should be planted in well draining soil, and should not need added fertilizers if you repot it each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Mountain Hemlock, Alpine Hemlock, Black Hemlock

How to care for Mountain Hemlock

Difficulty

Caring for Mountain Hemlock is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

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

Soil

Mountain Hemlock 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 Mountain Hemlock 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

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 Mountain Hemlock grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Mountain Hemlock’s native range is Western N. America - Alaska to California.


More info:
Wikipedia