How to Grow & Care for lresine Herbstii ‘Bloodleaf Plant’ (2024)

Hey folks!! Welcome back!! 

Are you looking for an uncommon plant? If yes, then I have a great idea for you. Why not grow one of the best shrubs named lresine Herbstii? lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ is one of the plants that is known by its other names such as Iresine, chicken gizzard, and beefsteak plant.  

You can see its varieties that come in medium to small-sized plants and all are almost perennials. So, let’s get started to know how to grow this best lresine Herbstii Blood leaf plant in your home garden. 

	Quick information
Common name	Bloodleaf, Beefsteak plant bloodleaf, Formosa Bloodleaf
Sunlight	Bright light is necessary to prevent the bright leaf color from fading.
Soil used	Loamy, soil-based potting mixture
Water requirements	Water thoroughly, aiming to keep the potting mix lightly moist at all times.
Pruning	Spring is the best time to prune
Mature size	12 to 18 inches tall when potted
Bloom time	Rarely blooms in cultivation

How to grow lresine Herbstii ‘Bloodleaf Plant’? 

lresine Herbstii ‘Bloodleaf Plant’ is an easy-growing plant that does not ask for much effort. All you need is to follow the appropriate steps. So, for that, we are here. We will grow this plant Through stem cuttings:

Step 1– First, you have to collect your materials like scissors, containers, water, old plants, etc. 

Step 2- Take a stem from the mother plant including 2-3 leaves on it. 

Step 3– Additionally, you can dip the cuttings in the water and add some fertilizer to it. 

Step 4- Then, after observing its growth at 2 inches, it’s time to plant it.

Step 5– Take a good container and add well-drained soil to it and add sprouts to it. 

Step 6- Do not cover them wholly, place them in a warm place to grow well. 

Step 7– East-facing window would be good for them and when they grow more, you can put them in bright but indirect sunlight.

How to care for lresine Herbstii ‘Bloodleaf Plant’? 

Caring for the lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ plant is not a difficult task. You have to feed it with proper lighting that is bright indirect sunlight, feed it with plenty of water good temperature, humidity, pruning, etc. 

Sunlight needs

• Light requirements of the lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ plant are somehow tricky because the light it receives directly affects the density of the color of its leaves
• So you have to feed the plant the bright indirect sunlight for its growth. 
• Make sure to feed a plant with full sunlight as it can get you in its growth and develop leggy stems in the plant.
• For choosing the best location for your plant, you can place them near the west-facing window so that they can receive the morning sunshine when you place them indoors. 

Watering needs

• You have to feed lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ with water every week so that the soil remains moist. 
• During summer, you have to feed them with more water as the water tends to lose faster than in winter. 
• Feed them with water, once time in a week at the time of winter. 
• Keep in mind to water the plant when the soil becomes fully dry, but also do not let the soil get fully dry. 

Humidity and Temperature needs

• lresine Herbstii will grow best if you feed it at the right temperature which is 65-80°F(18-27°C).
• Ensure that the plant’s temperature requirement should not go below 55°F (13°C).
• Humidity plays a great role in growing a plant and this plant does not like the humidity level that is below 50%. 
• So for increasing the humidity level of the plants, you can make use of a small humidifier or you can place your plant in the bathroom or kitchen to increase the humidity in the plant.
• Also, misting the plants will help the plant to receive humidity and have to do it in the morning. 

Soil needs

• lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ plant prefers to grow in soil that is Loamy and organically rich. 
• Choose that soil for a plant that tends to drain and even retain moisture in the plant for its growth. 
• The ideal pH level for the blood leaf plant should lie between 5.6 to 5.9 which is slightly acidic.
• You have to invest in the soil so that it provides a good amount of nutrients to the plant for its healthy growth. 

Fertilizer needs

• lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ plant needs fertilizer after the span of every two weeks so that the plant grows vigorously.
• They like the fertilizer that is high in nitrogen content as it helps the plant grow its stems and leaves and its thick foliage.
• It is suggested to fertilize the plant during the season when the plant is actively growing, that is from the springtime to the summertime. 
• You don’t have to fertilize the plant at the time of winter because the plant does not grow much at that time. After all, it is in its dormant period at that time. 
• You can make use of organic fertilizer or liquid fertilizer for your plant by diluting it to its half strength so that there are no fertilizer burns in the plant and your plant grows healthy. 

Potting and Repotting needs

• Repotting of lresine Herbstii ‘Blood leaf’ plant should be your annual routine that is after the span of every year so that the roots grow properly in the new container.
• When you observe that the roots are coming out from the drainage holes of the container, then it is a sign that tells you that the plant needs to be repotted. 
• You have to repot the plant at the time of spring so that will become easy for the plant to get habitual to its new home. 
• When you repot the plant, you have to be cautious while removing the root ball and remove the excess while from the roots.
• For preparing a new container, you have to choose a fresh soil mix for your plant and choose a container that is 1 inch bigger than the previous one. 

Pruning needs

• As the plant is fast growing it needs to be pruned with time with proper care. 
• You have to cut off the branches so that new growth emerges in the plant.
• It will also help the plant maintain its shape and size so that it does not look messy. 
• Make sure you are using sharp and sterilizer scissors for pruning your plant. 
• To prune the plant you have to wait for the time of early spring so that you can cut off all the dead and affected leaves in the plant.  

Wrapping up the context 

In this guide, you come to know about one of the best plants to grow in your home garden. Folks, I am happy that you read the full guide and finally know the process of growing lresine Herbstii ‘Bloodleaf Plant’ in your home garden. 

Still, if there remain any queries or doubts, then you can let me know about it or you can read the guide again to understand the process. I hope you are doing great in your gardening field. So, see you in the next guide till then safe gardening. 

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!