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Scarlet spiderling

Boerhavia coccinea

Also known as : Red boerhavia

Scarlet spiderling (Boerhavia coccinea) is an herbaceous perennial trailing plant that will grow to 91 cm long. Stems are fuzzy and foliage is sticky, forming large spreading mats along the ground. Blooms from spring to fall with small clusters of tiny, frilly pink flowers that grow on a round flower head. It attracts butterflies and caterpillars.

Planting Time

Fall, Winter, Early spring

More Info

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

Red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Pinks, cacti, and allies

Family

Four o'clock

Genus

Spiderlings

Species

Scarlet spiderling

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Distribution Map

Habitat

Disturbed areas, roadside

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Scarlet spiderling

Watering

Sunlight

Temperature

What is the best way to water my Scarlet spiderling?

When watering the Scarlet spiderling, you should aim to use filtered water that is at room temperature. Filtered water is better for this plant, as tap water can contain particles that are harmful to its health. The reason that the water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer is that the Scarlet spiderling comes from a warm environment, and cold water can be somewhat of a shock to its system. Also, you should avoid overhead watering for this plant, as it can cause foliage complications. Instead, simply apply your filtered room temperature water to the soil until the soil is entirely soaked. Soaking the soil can be very beneficial for this plant as it moistens the roots and helps them continue to spread through the soil and collect the nutrients they need.

What should I do if I water my Scarlet spiderling too much or too little?

Both overwatering and underwatering will be detrimental to the health of your Scarlet spiderling, but overwatering is a far more common issue. When this species receives too much water, its stems and leaves may begin to wilt and turn from green to yellow. Overwatering over a prolonged period may also lead to diseases such as root rot, mold, and mildew, all of which can kill your plant. Underwatering is far less common for the Scarlet spiderling, as this plant has decent drought tolerance. However, underwatering remains a possibility, and when it occurs, you can expect to find that the leaves of your Scarlet spiderling have become brittle and brown.

It is crucial that you notice the signs of overwatering as soon as possible when caring for your Scarlet spiderling. Some of the diseases that arise from overwatering, such as root rot, may not be correctable if you wait too long. If you see early signs of overwatering, you should reduce your watering schedule immediately. You may also want to assess the quality of soil in which your Scarlet spiderling grows. If you find that the soil drains very poorly, you should replace it immediately with a loose, well-draining potting mix. On the other hand, if you find signs that your Scarlet spiderling is receiving too little water, all you need to do is water more regularly until those signs have subsided.

How often should I water my Scarlet spiderling?

If your plant is in a pot. The most precise way to decide whether your Scarlet spiderling needs water is to plunge your finger into the soil. If you notice that the first two to three inches of soil have become dry, it is time to add some water.

If you grow your Scarlet spiderling outdoors in the ground, you can use a similar method to test the soil. Again, when you find that the first few inches of soil have dried out, it is time to add water. During the spring and early fall, this method will often lead you to water this plant about once every week. When extremely hot weather arrives, you may need to increase your watering frequency to about twice or more per week. With that said, mature, well-established the Scarlet spiderling can show an admirable ability to withstand drought.

How much water does my Scarlet spiderling need?

When it comes time to water your Scarlet spiderling, you should not be shy about how much water you give. With the first two to three inches of soil dry, this plant will appreciate a long and thorough watering. Supply enough water to soak the soil entirely. The amount of water you add should be enough to cause excess water to flow through the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. If you don’t see excess water draining from the pot, you have likely underwatered your plant. But do not let the water accumulate inside the soil, which will be very dangerous to the plant as well. Alternatively, a lack of water draining through the pot could indicate poorly draining soils, which is detrimental to the health of this plant and should be avoided. If the plant is outside, 1 inch of rain per week will be sufficient.

How should I water my Scarlet spiderling at different growth stages?

The water needs of the Scarlet spiderling can change depending on growth stages as well. For example, when your Scarlet spiderling is in the first few years of its life, or if you have just transplanted it to a new growing location, you will need to give more water than usual. During both of those stages, your Scarlet spiderling will put a lot of energy towards sprouting new roots that will then support future growth. For those roots to perform their best, they need a bit more moisture than they would at a more mature phase. After a few seasons, your Scarlet spiderling will need much less water. Another growth stage in which this plant may need more water is during the bloom period. Flower development can make use of a significant amount of moisture, which is why you might need to give your Scarlet spiderling more water at this time.

How should I water my Scarlet spiderling through the seasons?

The Scarlet spiderling will have its highest water needs during the hottest months of the year. During the height of summer, you may need to give this plant water more than once per week, depending on how fast the soil dries out. The opposite is true during the winter. In winter, your plant will enter a dormant phase, in which it will need far less water than usual. In fact, you may not need to water this plant at all during the winter months. However, if you do water during winter, you should not do so more than about once per month. Watering too much at this time will make it more likely that your Scarlet spiderling will contract a disease.

What's the difference between watering my Scarlet spiderling indoors and outdoors?

It is most common to grow the Scarlet spiderling indoors for any gardener that does not live in temperate and tropical regions. Those gardeners should consider the fact that soil in a container can dry out a bit faster than ground soil. Also, the presence of drying elements such as air conditioning units can cause your Scarlet spiderling to need water on a more frequent basis as well. if you planted it outside. When that is the case, it’s likely you won’t need to water your Scarlet spiderling very much at all. If you receive rainfall on a regular basis, that may be enough to keep your plant alive. Alternatively, those who grow this plant inside will need to water it more often, as allowing rainwater to soak the soil will not be an option.

What is the optimal temperature for Scarlet spiderling?

Colder temperatures can affect plants since they have the same temperature as the air around them. When they are exposed to the sun, they can start to get warm again, but this is not the case during winter. The temperature range for the Scarlet spiderling is often 70~85℉(21~30℃). They might tolerate 20~30℉(-6~0℃) even 15℉(-10℃), but not for long since this can result in frost damage. Maximum temperatures should be around 70~85℉(21~30℃), but make sure that you spray them with water from time to time and give them some shade to prevent wilting.

Should I adjust the temperature for Scarlet spiderling during different growing phases?

Do some research and make sure that the temperature is right when growing Scarlet spiderling. Some growers might consider decreasing the plants' thermostats during the growing season to reduce HVAC costs. However, it's vital to understand that the temperature can affect the flowering, pest management, and quality of the plants.

There will be a temperature point where the Scarlet spiderling will stop growing, and this can happen during the winter when some species might go into a dormant state. The base temperature becomes warmer when the season changes and the Scarlet spiderling can grow faster. The species that are naturally growing in warm habitats have higher optimum temperatures when you compare them to the ones that thrive in a cooler climate.

When the seeds of Scarlet spiderling are exposed to cool temperatures, this can cause a decrease in uniformity and delays. You might also want to lower the temperature during flowering but not at other phases. Cooler temperatures at night will also require less water, so adjust the irrigation as needed.

How can I keep Scarlet spiderling warm in cold seasons?

Stop fertilizing the plant to avoid new growth and allow the old ones to become hardy. This way, they can endure colder temperature when it begins to drop. To keep them warm, you can build structures around the Scarlet spiderling like cages or trellises. There are also options to use heat mats that can gently warm the soil since they can consistently maintain an ideal temperature range for the Scarlet spiderling.

How can I save Scarlet spiderling from temperature damage?

During winter, you can protect the Scarlet spiderling from frost by covering it with cloths, tarps, burlaps, sheets, or plastic buckets. Make sure to keep them down so they continue to act as insulators and the wind will not blow them away. However, ensure that the plastic sheets or burlap covers should not touch any part of the fruit or foliage, or the cold temperatures can transfer to the material and cause burns. When the temperatures begin to rise during the daytime, remove the covers.

Should I adjust the temperature for Scarlet spiderling in different seasons?

When growing the Scarlet spiderling in spring, you might want to increase humidity since the air temperature tends to be cooler at this time. A dry temperature can be a stressful growing environment for various species, which can help. If summer arrives, the large cover of the greenhouse and the warm temperature will mean that there will be a higher humidity level in the air. Some signs to look for are the condensation that is often found on the walls of the greenhouse, and this can cause issues with pollination and the development of infections when the water begins to fall on the leaves. Make adjustments according to the temperature and do some spraying during the hotter days of the year.

What damage will Scarlet spiderling suffer if the temperature is too high/low?

Generally, the first cold snap can destroy the Scarlet spiderling and others might go into a dormant state when the temperature is low. Some plants can get chilled when the temperatures range from 20~30℉(-6~0℃). They can freeze when the temperature begins to drop below 32℉(0℃). Those species that hide most of their parts under the soil might lose their structures above ground, but they can recover in spring. Some of the associated issues with too low temperatures are the lack of availability of resources like water, and nutrients, and those subtropical plants can suffer when the temperature reaches below 20℉(-6℃). The plants can also get damaged because of extreme heat stress when it's too high. This can reduce the transpiration rate that can affect the growth and productivity of Scarlet spiderling.

What tips and cautions should I keep in mind when it comes to temperature for Scarlet spiderling?

You need to cover the plants at night since these can add about 5 degrees more to protect the species from frost and freezing temperatures. The cloth rows can work well as blankets and ensure that there are no openings where the heat could escape.

When using the covers, avoid the plastic from touching the foliage because this can cause the Scarlet spiderling to freeze. Remember to keep the covers during the day and stop using heat pads during the summer. It will always be worth the effort to protect the cold-intolerant plants from freezing temperatures to help them survive.

How can I keep Scarlet spiderling warm without a heat pad?

If you prefer not to use a heat pad, bring the Scarlet spiderling inside, especially if it's freezing outdoors. During spring, consider the ones you need to bring indoors and plant them in moveable pots and containers.

How can I provide Scarlet spiderling with an adequate temperature condition?

Most often, the ones caring for the Scarlet spiderling will grow them in greenhouses. This is because they can provide adequate temperature in these areas that won't affect the photosynthesis process of a specific process.

Some install the proper HVAC systems to control the temperatures of Scarlet spiderling. This can handle many species' cooling and heating needs, especially during the summer and winter. They generally place the cooling or heating pad under the plants rather than above to achieve their desired temperatures.

If outdoors, you can protect the Scarlet spiderling from frost by covering it with cloths, tarps, burlaps, sheets, or plastic buckets.

Under what conditions should I stop adjusting the temperature for Scarlet spiderling?

Heat mats are often left on Scarlet spiderling to set the temperatures at a more consistent level. When the weather becomes warmer during the day, you can remove them, especially if the species are exposed to the sun. Put the pads away once the plants are established and when they start growing flowers and fruits.

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Water

Every week

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Lighting

Full sun

Scarlet spiderling necessitates thorough exposure to light for its robust growth, yet can manage with a slight reduction in light availability. Originating from habitats with abundant light, the plant's wellbeing might dwindle with insufficient light, stunting growth. Conversely, overly-intense light can lead to potential harm.

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Temperature

0 38 ℃

Scarlet spiderling is native to areas with a temperature range of 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). It thrives best in these temperatures, but can adjust to slight changes. Seasonal temperature adjustments should only be made if necessary to replicate its native environment.

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Add to My Garden

Scarlet spiderling

Boerhavia coccinea

Also known as: Red boerhavia

Planting Time

Fall, Winter, Early spring