Duranta Plants: A Guide to Growing and Caring for This Tropical Beauty
Duranta plants are a genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees that are native to the American tropics. They are members of the Verbena family and are known for their showy flowers and attractive foliage. In the United States, the Golden Dewdrop species is the most commonly cultivated Duranta plant.
Duranta Flowering Plant Info
The Duranta flowering plant (Duranta erecta) is a multi-stemmed shrub that can reach up to 10 feet in height. It has droopy branches that may have sharp spines. The orchid-like flowers are typically light blue to light purple in color, but some plants develop yellow, ball-shaped drupes. The fruit of the Duranta plant is poisonous to humans, but it is a favorite food of birds.
How to Grow Duranta
Duranta plants can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 8-11. In areas where the winters are too cold, Duranta plants can be grown as annuals in containers. When growing Duranta plants in containers, it is important to use a rich, organic potting mix that is well-drained. The container should also have plenty of drainage holes.
Duranta plants prefer full to part sun and should be watered regularly, especially when they are first establishing. Once established, Duranta plants are relatively drought-tolerant and can survive with minimal watering.
Care of Duranta Plants
To encourage prolific flowering and fruiting, fertilize Duranta plants with a slow-release fertilizer. It is also important to prune Duranta plants regularly to keep them in shape. Renewal pruning, which involves removing old or overgrown branches, is especially important for maintaining a healthy and attractive Duranta plant.
Duranta Propagation
Duranta plants can be propagated by hardwood cuttings or by seed. To propagate Duranta plants by hardwood cuttings, take a 6-inch piece of a woody limb in the summer. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting compound and plant it in a well-drained potting mix. Roots will establish fairly quickly.
To propagate Duranta plants by seed, sow the seeds in a well-drained potting mix and keep them warm and moist. The seeds will germinate in 1-2 weeks.
Long-Tail Keywords
- How to grow Duranta plants in containers
- Duranta plants as annuals
- Growing Duranta plants in USDA zones 8-11
- Care for Duranta plants in the home garden
- How to propagate Duranta plants using hardwood cuttings
- The medicinal uses of Duranta plants
- Duranta plants as a source of food for birds
- The toxicity of Duranta fruit to humans
- How to control the spread of Duranta plants
- Duranta plants as a source of ornamental foliage
- Landscaping with Duranta plants
- Duranta plants as a source of essential oils
- The history of Duranta plants
- Duranta plants in popular culture
