Family: Phyllanthaceae
Common Name: Snow Bush
Botanical Name: Breynia disticha
Breynia disticha, aka Snow Bush adds lightness and levity to any bright space that needs a pick-me-up! Train your Snow Bush to your liking, as it is perfect for pruning into any form you choose. Let it grow tall and thin for a vertical effect, or let it become wide and bushy to mimic your wild side! Provide Breynia disticha with over 6 hours of bright indirect light and humidity levels over 50% daily to keep the variegated leaves looking their best. Learn more about how to care for these indoor shrubs!
Light
Breynia disticha loves bright sunny days and will grow to epic proportions when they receive over 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight each day. They will grow perfectly fine with lower light but may grow slower and produce less new growth. Set them where they receive gentle morning light, but keep them away from the intense afternoon direct sunlight! If you cannot provide them with the required light they need to thrive then consider using a LED (light emitting diode) grow light for 8-10 hours a day.
Water
Snow Bush likes consistently moist soil but does not tolerate wet soil. Let the water dry from the soil to the until about half of the soil feels dry. Water it immediately after you have made this discovery, let the excess water drain, and place the plant back into its cover pot or saucer. Consistently moist soil is the key to successfully growing a Snow Bush!
Soil
Potting soil rich in nutrients and organic matter but still can drain well is the perfect growing medium for your Snow Bush. Most coco coir or peat-based potting soil mixes will be adequate but make sure that they do not contain water-retentive crystals as they can cause the soil to stay moist, causing root rot. Avoid using garden soil for your indoor plants as it retains much more water than potting soil and it can also harbor pests and bacteria if taken from the yard. If you are feeling adventurous, try creating your own potting soil!
Temperature
Breynia disticha needs temperatures to remain between 65-75℉ all year round to retain good health! They can tolerate lower temperatures in the winter, but they will go into dormancy and may lose leaves if the temperatures fall below 60°F.
Humidity
High humidity is a must-have for Snow Bush. They may start shedding leaves at an alarming rate if the air is too dry and you are not watering it enough! Using a humidifier or a pebble tray with water can help give these moisture-loving plants the extra dampness they crave. Better yet, use a cool-mist humidifier to increase the humidity around your Breynia disticha and other humidity-loving plants! Learn how to increase the moisture in the air around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Provide your Snow Bush with a complete balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing season. Dilute the fertilizer the ¼ the recommended strength. Alternatively, you can top dress the soil with organic compost or slow-release fertilizer in the spring or early summer. It is okay to additionally use a ¼ strength diluted complete liquid fertilizer if you have added compost or slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
Growth Rate
Breynia disticha are moderate growing indoor plants. If properly cared for and exposed to consistent bright indirect light! They can reach up to 3’+ indoors in 3 to 5 years.
Pet Friend or Foe
Snow Bush are non-toxic to pets! Friend!
Pro Tips
- Rotate your Snow Bush ¼-turn each week to keep the plant full and symmetrical.
- Keep the soil loose and your cover pots drained of excess water to help prevent unpleasant odors and root rot.
- Keep the plant and the soil warm and the humidity over 50% throughout the year to avoid leaf drop!
- Breynia disticha can be a bit of a challenging indoor plant. If you notice it beginning to decline, your first move is to monitor the humidity and moisture content in the soil!
- It is best to keep these indoor shrubs pruned back to encourage a full-bodied plant!
- Pinch back new growth in the spring and summer with your fingers or garden scissors to encourage new growth!