Common Name: Buddhist Pine
Light Needs
Medium to full sun
Water Requirements
Water thoroughly
Description:
Podocarpaceae, meaning “foot-fruited” refers to its primitive berry-like fruit growing on a short stalk.
Most commonly used varieties: P. gracilior, P. macrophyllus, and P. m. ‘Maki.’
Podocarpaceae, meaning “foot-fruited” refers to its primitive berry-like fruit growing on a short stalk. It is a gymnosperm or evergreen conifer with more than 100 living species throughout the world. Of those, less than 10 are used as landscape plants with three varieties commonly used as interiorscape plants (P. gracilior, P. Macrophyllus and P.m. Maki). Weeping Podocarpus is frequently grown as a bushy 3pp plant.
Medium to full sun.
These are swamp plants. Give them enough water to keep them moist at all times. During acclimatization they will require a surprising amount of water, and in high light during the first few weeks may need twice-a-week irrigation. Plants respond well to water retention soil additives such as Hydretain®. If a plant gives signals such as whole branches turning gray-green and falling off, it is telling you it’s too dry.
Commonly, it is potted in sandy soil that drains quickly. During acclimatization, it will require a surprising amount of water, and in high light during the first few weeks, may need twice a week irrigation. It responds well to water-retention soil additives. This plant responds well to tip pinching especially in early spring. The more you pinch off the terminal growth of the branches, the fuller and hardier it will become. If you’re sensing the need to stake your podocarpus due to its developing lean, it is time to prune it for no plant needs stake.
Fertilizer is only needed in small amounts, at most once or twice a year. Excess fertilizer is frequently responsible for contributing to tip burn when the plant is accidentally underwatered. Extra time must be budgeted on a weekly basis for clean-up of leaves. Plants have many small leaves and shed a bit all the time. This is the only interior plant that occasionally needs to be staked to keep it upright.
Scale and mealybug. Yes, occasionally mealybug shows up, though with proper care a healthy plant can shake off a population. You can help by running your fingers along the infested branches squishing these critters as you go.