Ardisia crenata - Christmas berry thrive in bright, sunny rooms, but don’t like too much direct sunlight. Place them in rooms with south facing window
Ardisia crenata, also called as Christmas berry, Australian holly, Coral ardisia, Coral bush, Coralberry, Coralberry tree, Hen's-eyes, Spiceberry, Ardisia bicolor, Ardisia crispa var. taquetii, Ardisia densa, Ardisia elegans, Ardisia glandulosa, Ardisia konishii, Ardisia kusukusensis, Ardisia labordei, Ardisia labordei, Ardisia lentiginosa, Ardisia linangensis, Ardisia miaoliensis, Ardisia miaoliensis, Bladhia crenata, Bladhia crenata, Bladhia kusukusensis, Bladhia lentiginosa, Bladhia punctata, Tinus densa, is a species of the genus Ardisia. This species was described by John Sims in 1817.
IDENTIFY ARDISIA CRENATA - CHRISTMAS BERRY
Ardisia crenata will grow in moist woodland in tropical and subtropical regions, between 100-2400 meters above sea level. It was introduced as an ornamental in Florida in the 1900s. It has escaped into the wild and has become invasive in parts of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In 1995 the Coralberry was identified as an invasive species in Florida. In 2014 it was labeled as a noxious weed. The shrub had spread to Texas in 1997 and dominated the understory of two nature preserves. It has the potential for colonization in coastal South Carolina due to mild winters. The shrub is difficult to control once established.
Christmas berry is an evergreen subshrub growing up to 1.8 m tall, but more commonly between 0.5-1 m in height, growing in multi-stemmed clumps. Leaves are alternate, less than 21 cm long, dark green above and waxy, glabrous, with crenate margins and calluses in the margin notches.
The plants begin to bear fruit two years after sprouting. Clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers bloom during late spring to early summer. Berries form and gradually change from green to a glossy red color. They remain on the shrub year-round. A white and pink-fruited berry has also been cultivated.
ARDISIA CRENATA - CHRISTMAS BERRY CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Ardisia crenata thrive in bright, sunny rooms, but don’t like too much direct sunlight. Place them in rooms with south facing windows, but avoid putting the plant in the direct sun or the leaves may get ugly brown marks and the bright red berries begin to shrivel up. When grown outside, partial shade is needed.
Temperature:
Christmas berrycan be grown in USDA zones 8-11. The temperature should not drop below 10 °C; the optimum temperature is 15-25 °C during the day and nighttime temperatures above 10°C. When the temperature is too high, the plant won’t produce any red berries.
Humidity:
Average house humidity is advised. Tolerant of humidity but might need less watering if very humid out. Misting leaves will improve humidity during the summer months. Never situate this plant within 3 metres of an operating radiator as it will cook both the plant and the surrounding air moisture.
Substrate and growing media:
Ardisia crenata prefers well-drained, rich acidic soil, but tolerant of many soil types. The plant may be grown in a container as a house plant. It may be best not to plant the plant in landscapes due to its invasive nature.
Re-pot only when needed. When it becomes pot bound move the plant to a pot the next size up. In case of transplant, it is better to do it in autumn or spring. Be sure there are drip holes in the bottom of the pot so excess water can drain out.
Watering:
Christmas berry should stay evenly moist, meaning the soil should never be completely dry or overly wet. Whilst the specimen is holding berries, it's essential not to use cold water as this will quickly shock the roots, causing multiple issues down the line. Under-watering symptoms include rapid berry loss and dry, sunken leaves; these issues are usually due to either forgetfulness, too much sunlight or too much heat. Over-watering symptoms include rotting lower leaves, yellowing leaves, a loss of flowers or berries, and root rot. The amount of water your plant will need depends on a lot of factors: the amount of light it receives, the temperature of the room, humidity levels, among other things. A good rule of thumb would be to water the plant once a week and adjust according to how quickly the soil dries. Eventually you should be able to get into a watering routine based on the plant needs. Do not keep the plant in standing water for more than 15 minutes as this can lead to root rot and pests. During the fall and winter when the plant is resting water less, allowing the soil to dry out a bit before you water.
Fertilizer:
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer once a month from spring - fall and then maybe once every other month after. If the leaf tips are brown, you could be over fertilizing.
Pruning:
Prune Ardisia crenata each spring before flowering, if needed, to shape up this shrub and to keep it compact. Remove the stem tips of a young plant to promote branching. Remove old branches to restore its original form and size. It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time. Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside. While pruning, always use clean utensils or shears to reduce the chance of bacterial and fungal diseases. Never cut through yellowed tissue as this may cause further damage in the likes of diseases or bacterial infections. Remember to make clean incisions as too-damaged wounds may shock the plant, causing weakened growth and a decline in health.
Propagation:
Christmas berry are propagated by seeds sown or by cuttings. Sow seeds in spring, and be patient, the seeds can take up to 3 months to germinate. Use sterile seed-starting mix, keep moist, and maintain 21°C at all times. Or take 10-15 cm stem tip cuttings in spring and place upright in moist peat moss-based potting mix. Each cutting should only have a few leaves leaf, above 8cm of semi-wooded stem. Cover the plant and pot in a plastic bag to hold in humidity. Place into individual 7cm pots once the second new leaf emerges. Neither method is easy.
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