Geogenanthus ciliatus is far easier to cultivate and propagate than you might think. This plant’s light, water, and soil requirements are very basic. Read our guide to learn more about them and how to propagate this plant.
What Exactly Is Geogenanthus Ciliatus?
Geogenanthus ciliatus is a very rare South American rainforest plant. It is regarded as a decorative indoor plant, owing to its distinct and unique Geogenanthus ciliatus leaves. It is also extremely simple in terms of maintenance.
Geogenanthus Ciliatus Care
Geogenanthus ciliatus should be cared for by placing it in partial sunlight, watering when the top two inches of soil become dry, and using a quick-draining soil.
More information is provided below.
Water
Give this plant plenty of water, but make sure the excess drains properly.
Water the Geogenanthus ciliatus plant as soon as the top two inches of soil become dry. This plant will thrive in slightly damp soil as long as it is not soggy or runny.
In areas with a mild climate, you will only need to water this plant once or twice per week. In extremely dry areas, especially during the summer, you may need to water more frequently.
Each time, use a large amount of water and always direct it to the soil at the plant’s base. Soaking the stem and leaves each time will result in the growth of fungal molds on them.
Slowly and gradually pour water on the soil. Pour until the water begins to flow out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.
Collect the excess water at the bottom of the pot in a pan or saucer. However, remember to drain this water.
If the pot is left atop this water-filled pan for an extended period of time, root rot may develop.
Light
This plant requires partial or indirect light to mature and grow its leaves. If natural light is scarce, use artificial light.
If you are growing your Ciliatus plant outside:
Place the Geogenanthus ciliatus plant in the shade of a tree in your yard or on your lawn. It cannot be placed in direct sunlight, but it can tolerate partial or dappled light.
Keep it under the shade of a larger tree or plant to create the ideal dappled and indirect light that this plant experiences in the forest.
If you are growing a Ciliatus plant indoors,
Place the Geogenanthus plant in a well-lit area of the home. This plant can survive in low light conditions, but it requires more light to develop the deep green color that it is known for.
This plant can be safely placed near the east or west side windows. Because this light is easily tolerable for the plant, these windows only receive very moderate direct light for a few hours per day.
Maintain a safe distance from the north-facing window. The intense sunlight from this window has the potential to burn the plant severely.
Artificial Lighting for Growing:
If your home lacks sufficiently bright rooms, artificial grow lights are an excellent substitute for natural sunlight. Artificial grow lights should ideally be placed approximately 20 inches away from the plant.
The most powerful and effective grow lights are incandescent. However, they consume a lot of electricity. LED grow lights, on the other hand, are much less expensive but not as powerful. What about combining both of these light sources?
Soil
Geogenanthus ciliatus soil must be able to retain moisture while also not contributing to waterlogging and be well-draining. Organic substances such as peat moss or sphagnum moss should be present in your soil to aid in moisture retention.
You can use ingredients like vermiculite, perlite, or sand to improve the drainage capacity of the soil. These loosen the soil particles and allow water to drain more quickly. This plant thrives in a pH range of 6.1 to 7.3.
Temperatures
Geogenanthus ciliatus can withstand temperatures ranging from cold to hot. However, it is preferable to keep them in warmer temperatures because they thrive in such conditions. Keep the temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allowing the temperature to fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods of time is not recommended. While it will survive the cold, its growth may be hampered.
How Can I Protect My Plants From the Cold?
During the winter, it is preferable to bring them inside. If they are left outside, try wrapping them in a blanket to keep them warm. Keep them away from the cold air caused by air conditioning, vents, and open windows, even on summer nights.
Keep it in your home’s warmest and brightest room. This is best for the health of your plant.
Moisture
The humidity level should be 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Learn how to produce such high levels of humidity at home.
In the morning, mist the plant.
In the morning, mist the plant. Early morning misting gives the water drops plenty of time and high temperatures to evaporate. In this way, humidity rises around the plant.
Maintaining a Humidifier
A humidifier is an excellent tool for keeping your Geogenanthus plant at the proper temperature around the clock. It is simply plugged into an electrical outlet and the necessary humidity levels are entered.
A Tray of Pebbles
Put medium-sized pebbles in a shallow household tray with raised edges to make your own pebble tray. Fill this tray with water and place the pot on top of the pebbles so that it does not touch the water. The evaporating water from the tray will raise the plant’s surrounding moisture level.
Fertilizer Needs
Every year, the Geogenanthus ciliatus plant experiences a period of rapid growth and activity in the spring and summer. During this time, it should also be fertilized on a regular basis.
We recommend that you use a liquid fertilizer with an equal NPK ratio. An equal ratio would ensure that all nutrients were distributed evenly to the plant.
To be safe, dilute the fertilizer to at least half its original strength. Fertilizers have frequently been linked to severe chemical burns in plants. Another tip is to water the plant first before fertilizing it to keep it safe.
Propagation
G. ciliatus can be propagated from stem cuttings or tuberous rhizomes.
Propagate Through Tuberous Rhizomes
Since the Geogenanthus ciliatus plant grows and reproduces through underground rhizomes, it is best propagated through these as well. Of course, you will need to uproot the plant from its soil to propagate it this way, which is why we always schedule our repotting and propagation at the same time.
Learn about all of the steps in the process below:
- Water the soil liberally 24 hours before. The soil will soften as a result of this. After one day, use a sterilized gardening knife to scrape the soil loose from the pot’s edges.
- Carefully remove the plant from the soil. Use a water hose, remove the soil that has become attached to the roots.
- Remove the individual rhizomes, as well as their stems and foliage.
- Repot each of the rhizomes in their own pots with fresh soil. Place this pot in a warm, sunny location in your home, and keep the soil moist but not wet for the first few days.
Using Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings can also be used to propagate Geogenanthus ciliatus. This method has the added benefit of not requiring the plant to be removed from its soil.
Learn how to propagate with stem cuttings here:
For propagation, select a healthy stem or stem branch. Before using the gardening shears, thoroughly sterilize and disinfect them. To be successful, your stem cuttings should be 3 to 4 inches long and have at least two leaves.
Allow the cut to dry in a dry place for a few days. Then, at both ends of the cutting, apply rooting hormone. Fill a new pot with freshly mixed soil and moisten it slightly before inserting the stem cutting vertically into the soil, with one leaf node outside and one inside the soil.
If your cut is having trouble standing upright, try supporting it for a short period of time with a stick or a ruler until it takes roots. Place the pot in a warm location once more and wait a few weeks for new roots to appear.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When Should You Repot the Geogenanthus Ciliatus Plant?
Repotting Geogenanthus ciliatus is best done in the spring. This is the time of year when this plant is at its most active. Spring is also the best time to propagate this plant. You can also repot and propagate during the early summer, but not later.
How Do Geogenanthus Leaves Appear?
This plant’s young leaves are a bright green with a purple stripe down the middle. Their color changes as they mature. The leaf’s upper surface is a deep green color with a glossy texture. The lower surface darkens to a velvety purple or maroon color.
Conclusion
Geogenanthus ciliatus is a rare plant with strikingly different upper and lower leaf sides. Provide this plant with indirect, partial, or dappled light.
When the top two inches of soil on the Geogenanthus plant become dry, water it. Use a lot of water and keep watering until it comes out of the drainage hole.
Keep temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels above 70%.
Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and other insects may infest your plant. You have the option of using herbal remedies or insecticide sprays.
Plants like Geogenanthus ciliatus require only indirect light and a regular watering and fertilizing regime to grow into their renowned foliage.