Leucadendron In A Pot – Caring For Container Grown Leucadendrons

(Image credit: Jack N. Mohr)

Leucadendrons are beautiful South African natives that provide intense color and texture to warm climate gardens in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. This large genus includes shrubs or small trees of various sizes, and many are perfect for growing in containers. Interested in learning how to grow leucadendrons in containers? Keep reading to learn all about growing leucadendron in a pot.

How to Grow Leucadendrons in Containers

Plant leucadendron in a sturdy container filled with a loose, free-draining potting mix. Be sure the container has at least one drainage hole. A good quality, fresh potting mix without added fertilizer is preferable. Place the leucadendron in a sunny location. You may want to place the pot on a pedestal or other object to improve drainage because lucadendron hates wet feet.

Potted Leucadendron Care

Maintaining container grown leucadendrons is pretty straightforward. Refer to the label for specifics on your leucadendron, as some varieties are more drought tolerant than others. As a general rule, water leucadenron regularly, especially during warm and dry weather when potted plants dry quickly. However, never allow the potting soil to become soggy or waterlogged. Container grown leucadendrons benefit from one feeding every year. Use a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertilizer, as leucadendrons don’t care for phosphorus. Prune leucadendron to shape the plant and to encourage bushy new growth and flowers the next spring. Prune young plants when the weather is cool in late spring or later in the season. Prune mature plants after flowering has finished. To prune leucadendron in a pot, remove thin stems and crowded, misshapen growth, but don’t remove healthy, bloomless stems. Prune the entire plant to the same height. Messy, neglected plants can be trimmed to half their height, but no more. Snip off faded blooms to keep the plant healthy and vibrant. Repot leucadendron yearly. Use a container just one size larger.

Mary H. Dyer
Writer

A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.