SNOW BUSH

Snow Bush

Botanical Name: Breynia nivosa

Traditionally a tropical garden plant, Snow Bush is slowly becoming recognized as a house plant -- and for good reason. This Pacific Island native is an exquisite accent plant any brightly lit room.

Slender branches of this tropical woody plant area unit densely coated with rounded inexperienced leaves, spectacularly splashed with white. The variety 'Rosea Picta' adds pink to the white and green foliage, giving the false impression of a flowering shrub.

Flowers do typically seem on mature plants, although they're not at all showy. These odd-looking flowers are small and green, hiding under the foliage.

Keep it moist. Make this tropical beauty feel at home by boosting the humidity around it. Set the pot on a pebble tray or use a room humidifier to keep the relative humidity above 50%. Also keep the soil moist at all times.

Cut it back. Snow Bush grows quickly and can get quite massive if not cropped. Cut the stems with sharp pruners to avoid tearing them. Make the cut just above a leaf node at a 45° angle. Prune to your heart's content -- you won't hurt this vigorous grower.

Repot in spring. This invasive woody plant can would like a brand new home each couple years. Move it up to a pot one size larger when it outgrows its current one.

It is surprising that we don't see Snowbush more often in nurseries. If you come across this beautiful tropical plant, buy it. You'll enjoy it first as a table accent -- and as it grows, an eye-catching floor plant.

Snow Bush Plant Care Tips

Height: 3 ft (90 cm)Origin: Tropical Asia, Pacific Islands and Tropical Australia

Light: Bright indirect light

Water: Water completely and sometimes to take care of damp soil. Do not permit the soil to dry out at any time. Remember to always use tepid water when watering your houseplants.

Humidity: Moderate to high humidity. Give your plant the humid air it craves, like its native tropical home. Stand the pot on a pebble tray and mist with room-temperature water.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 65-75°F/18-24°C. This tender tropical will tolerate a minimum of 60°F/16°C.

Soil: Good-quality house plant potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take stem tip cuttings in summer and root them in moist sterile potting mix. Cover the whole thing with plastic to hold in the humidity until it takes root.