LABISIA PLANTS

LABISIA PLANTS

Tribe: Myrsinoideae

Plant Family: Primulaceae

Origin:  Malesia biogeographical region

Soil Drainage: Well-Drained

Soil pH: Acid

INTRODUCTION 

Labisia is a genus of small woody and leafy plants with creeping stems and is mainly found in the lowland and hill forests in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Labisia species are small shrubs with upward pointing leaves. They root from stem and leaf cuttings. 

Labisia pumila was formerly referred to as Ardisia pumila, and these two names are still being used synonymously due to the close resemblance of the two genera. New species were published a number of times, however most of them are synonymous to Labisia pumila. 

Here is a list of published Labisia species: 

• Labisia acuta 
• Labisia longistyla 
• Labisia paucifolia 
• Labisia posthumusiana 
• Labisia pumila var. alata 
• Labisia pumila var. discoplacenta 
• Labisia  pumila var. gladiata
• Labisia pumila var. lanceolata 
• Labisia pumila var. malintangensis 
• Labisia pumila var. neriifolia 
• Labisia pumila var. pumila 
• Labisia pumila var. sessilifolia 
• Labisia steenisiana 
• Labisia sumatrensis

Labisia species available commercially (often from questionable sources) are being named after the areas they were initially found in, for example: Labisia turtle sp sekadau is from Sekadau Regency of West Kalimantan, and Labisia sp. Kapuas Hulu - from Kapuas Hulu Regency (Upper Kapuas River) of the West Kalimantan - both are provinces in Indonesia.

HUMIDITY

Labisia plants need high humidity, you will need a terrarium with at least 75% humidity. My terrariums vary from 85%-99%. Brown leaf edges usually indicate insufficient humidity levels. 

WATERING

 Labisia sp plants prefer being in the wetter part of the terrarium but not submerged in water. I use tap water that has been left sitting in open container for at least 48 hours.

LIGHT

Labisia sp plants need low to medium lighting conditions (partial shade). They can be grown in natural light away from direct sunlight, or under LED light. I have grown mine in both conditions successfully.

FERTILZER

I rarely fertilize my terrarium plants because the growing medium is already quite rich in organic matter. Once every couple of month I water it with highly diluted Growth Technology Nitrozyme and Growth Technology IONIC Cal-Mag Pro. In general, watch out for deformed leaves and stunted growth - those are the indications of nutritional deficiencies.

TEMPERATURE

I am still experimenting with this one. I have recently planted a couple of Labisias in a heated terrarium (23C-24C), and another two are placed under glass domes in room conditions (20C-21C degrees). I will be updating my blog once it becomes obvious which conditions are better for Labisia.

LABISIA TURTLE

Labisia Sp Turtle Back is a slow growing tropical plant with broad leaves, high contrast colors, and prominent venation resembling reptile pattern, hence its name. This plant is still difficult to obtain.

Labisia Pumila is a slow grower. It has broad leaves striking in color. The plant reaches 8-10 inches in height and at that point it blooms with white flowers which will turn into red berries later.  

I keep my Labisia pumila in constantly moist medium and in high humidity (in a glass dome). I find that it provides best coloration when placed in partial shade.

LABISIA SP.RIAU

Labisia sp riau resembles Labisia Turtle Back. Based on my experience riau is the fastest grower compared to Turtle Back and pumila Pink, therefore it might be a better option for beginners. It still requires a glass dome or terrarium enclosure. Check out this article for more details about Labisia sp. 

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