Mickey Mouse plant (Ochna serrulata) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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Mickey Mouse plant

Ochna serrulata

Also known as: Carnival bush, Mickey Mouse bush

Mickey Mouse plant earns its common name from its ripe black fruits which resemble the ears of Mickey Mouse; these hang down from the flower’s bright red sepals, which also resemble the iconic cartoon character’s red shorts. Ochna serrulata is native to South Africa and is often grown as an ornamental garden plant.

Early spring

Planting Time

More Info

Flower Color

Yellow

Red

Green

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Early fall

Leaf Color

Green

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Nances, spurges, willows and allies

Family

Ochna

Genus

Ochna

Species

Mickey Mouse plant

Distribution Map

Habitat

Coastal

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Mickey Mouse plant

Sunlight

Temperature

How many hours of sunlight does Mickey Mouse plant need per day?

Mickey Mouse plant needs a lot of indirect, filtered, or dappled light when grown indoors, so they should be kept in a sunny location all day. Of course, the number of daylight hours that occur naturally can vary depending on the season, but a good rule of thumb is a minimum of 6 hours, including up to 3-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Even many hours of indirect sun will not hurt Mickey Mouse plant; it is only direct sun that you need to be careful about.

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What type of sunlight does Mickey Mouse plant need?

Mickey Mouse plant in the wild get a lot of sunlight throughout the whole day. The sunlight is dappled and mostly indirect since it is filtered through the leafy canopy of tall trees growing above. When grown indoors, Mickey Mouse plant should be provided with bright indirect light in a sunny windowsill or via grow lights.

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Does Mickey Mouse plant need to avoid sun exposure?

Mickey Mouse plant does not need to avoid sun exposure completely, but the type of sunlight should be appropriate. They should not be exposed to more than 6 hours of direct sun each day. Direct sun means that the sunlight is hitting the plant directly. Indirect light could be reflected off other objects near the plant, or could be direct sun that is filtered by something such as a sheer curtain. So Mickey Mouse plant should be protected from excessive direct sun.

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How should I protect Mickey Mouse plant from sun and heat damage?

Sunlight can hurt Mickey Mouse plant that are not adapted to growing in direct sun. There are several ways to protect Mickey Mouse plant from bright sunlight. First, choose a location that gets indirect light for most of the day. If the location is too bright, move the plant farther into the room away from the window. Or, you can cover the window with a light curtain or blinds. Any of these methods protect your Mickey Mouse plant from both sun scorching and excessive heat from the sun.

What happens to Mickey Mouse plant if it gets too much sunlight?

Too much direct sunlight will scorch the plant’s leaves, especially the upper leaves which are hit with the majority of the sun’s rays. Scorched spots on the leaves look brown and dry. Entire leaves may also wilt and turn brown. Being grown in full sun can cause the soil to dry out too quickly. In extreme cases, too much sun could kill the plant.

What happens to Mickey Mouse plant if it receives insufficient sunlight?

Without enough sunlight, Mickey Mouse plant become etiolated (tall and stretched out) and lose color in their leaves. Over time, the plant is not able to generate enough energy through photosynthesis to support its continued survival, and will die if it is kept in a dark location.

Does Mickey Mouse plant need special attention to sunlight during different growth stages?

Mickey Mouse plant should get bright indirect light regardless of their growth stage. If anything, consistency in lighting conditions will get you the best results. Once you’ve found a location where your plants are happy, it is best not to move them. However, you should monitor the location and move plants if sunlight gets too intense during summer or becomes too dark in winter.

The amount of light can affect other elements of plant care as well, particularly temperature and watering frequency. More sunlight and heat will cause water to evaporate from the soil faster, meaning you would need to water more often. Less sunlight also usually means less watering, and usually cooler temperatures. This can lead to disease or pests.

Finally, be careful when moving Mickey Mouse plant from a shady location to a sunny one, such as moving plants to spend the summer outside. Mickey Mouse plant can easily get sunburned if they are moved suddenly from a location with little-to-no direct sun to a spot that gets a lot of bright light. Make this kind of move gradually, starting with just 1 to 2 hours in the new location per day and gradually increasing the time. This method allows the plant to adjust to the increased light levels without getting scorched.

How much light does Mickey Mouse plant need for photosynthesis?

Even the smallest amount of sunlight triggers the process of photosynthesis in plants. However, the amount of energy produced through that process needs to be enough to support the plant’s current survival and continued growth. Without plenty of sunlight, the plant will essentially starve because it doesn’t have what it needs to create energy.

What is the optimal temperature for Mickey Mouse plant?

For this tropical plant to thrive, you’ll want to keep them between 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃). Each species can handle temperatures outside of this range, but keeping it within several degrees of these limits will ensure they grow to their maximum potential.

As for its extreme temperature limits, any environment below 50℉ (10℃) or above 95℉ (35℃) will begin to hinder its growth and cause various aberrations to its leaves and stems. This is especially true with low temperatures; even a light frost can cause your tropical plants to perish. Cellular death can begin to happen at a rapid pace, with some species dying in as little as 12 to 24 hours.

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Does Mickey Mouse plant require different temperatures for different growing phases?

While Mickey Mouse plant doesn’t require any changes in temperature to enter different growing phases, it is important to stay consistent. Wild temperature fluctuations can slow down its growth regardless of its current phase, so it's always better to keep them in a controlled environment. That optimal temperature range of 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃) is vital to maintain, especially staying above the lower limit. Going above 90℉(32℃) isn’t ideal, but as tropical plant it won’t suffer too much. On the other hand, going below 50℉ (10℃) (and especially 40℉/5℃) will begin to directly damage this heat-loving plant species.

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Does Mickey Mouse plant need different temperatures for different seasons?

Mickey Mouse plant does not need different temperatures for different growing seasons. The most important step in seasonal care is to keep the environment within the optimal temperature range. That's why it's always best to keep this plant indoors. That way, you can control the temperature no matter what the climate is like outside.

Light is also important for tropical species, with all of these plants preferring a partial side level of sun exposure. This means any light they receive needs to be dappled or filtered, with bright but indirect light being the best option when growing your plants indoors. Too much direct sunlight can negatively affect your plant’s leaves, reducing its growth potential.

What are the temperature guidelines to keep your Mickey Mouse plant healthy?

Tip #1: Don’t Leave Your Plant Near Windows in Colder Months

If you want to make sure your plant isn’t exposed to colder temperatures, you may want to keep them away from windows. In colder months like late fall and winter, even the smallest draft can leak cold air into your home through cracks in your windows. While this air usually dissipates and warms up as it travels throughout your home, any plants placed in close proximity to the window will be affected. Move your tropical plants into an area where they will still get bright but indirect light, while making sure they won’t be affected by potential drafts.

Tip #2: If You Find Dry Patches, Your Plant May Be Getting Too Much Sunlight or Heat

You may notice the leaves become white or even scorched on a sunny day. These discolorations and unusual markings usually indicate that a plant is getting too much heat or sunlight, and it may be dehydrated. Excess light and heat will dry out the soil, stopping plants from getting the moisture they need to support their cellular structure. It also slows down or stops the process of photosynthesis, further hindering growth. If ignored for too long, these dry spots can spread and eventually result in the death of your plants.

Tip #3: Avoid Frost at All Costs

Colder temperatures and frost can damage your plants by causing ice crystals or disrupt normal physiological activity. This makes it nearly impossible for water to move freely throughout plant tissue, creating a deficit of moisture in their stems and leaves. You can tell a plant has been damaged by frost if it begins to suffer from hydrosis (it will appear as though it's soaked with water.) If the problem persists, your plants may begin shriveling and turning a dark brown or black hue. After that, the plant will almost certainly die.

What is the best way to maintain the right temperature for my Mickey Mouse plant?

The best way to maintain the right temperature range for Mickey Mouse plant is by keeping an eye on both the climate and humidity. You’ll want to try to keep each species in a room where you have access to climate control, keeping the heat in the temperature range best mimics its natural habitat. The humidity levels will also have a direct effect on temperature, so it's important to monitor these as well. You can artificially raise the humidity of your growing space by using a humidifier or lightly misting the leaves with water.

If you intend to grow this species outside, you may find it difficult to maintain the right balance of temperature and humidity. If temperatures begin to drop or the air becomes too dry, your best option is to find room within your home and move your plant inside. An indoor growing space will allow you to control the climate more closely, helping your plant reach its full potential.

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Add to My Garden

Mickey Mouse plant

Ochna serrulata

Also known as: Carnival bush, Mickey Mouse bush

Early spring

Planting Time