Trapped in the samsara of looking at the same old houseplants all the time? Sometimes it seems like the only plants we see are spider plants and Pothos. If you’re at the point of having a mental breakdown if you see one more heart-shaped leaf; craving more variety in your collection of indoor greenery, set your sights on Podocarpus macrophyllus.
Just look at this stunner! Is it a fern? Is it a palm? No! It’s a Buddhist Pine! These feathery shrubs are native to southern Japan and China and have a refreshing air of lightness and energy to them. Woody stems are covered in layers of foliage that burst from the upright stems in brooms of narrow leaves. All parts of the plant are non toxic.
Podocarpus make appropriate office plants, as they are tolerant of indirect, low light and average temperatures. Water when the first two inches of soil are dry, which usually puts you at once a week to every 10 days. Use a potting mix amended with some moss and perlite to provide moisture retention and ample drainage.
You’ll often see these houseplants get around 3-4’ tall indoors, but have the potential to get bigger. They are slow growers, expect 6-12” of growth at most per year. Fertilizing with a liquid houseplant food during the warmer months will aid in increasing their growth rate.
It’s not uncommon to see a few patches of yellowing leaves on a Podocarpus. All you have to do is trim them to encourage new, healthy growth! If the discoloration becomes widespread, it probably means a little misting may be required, or that it’s in too intense of sunlight. These are acid-loving plants, so yellowing can sometimes be indicative of alkaline soil. Adding coffee grounds to the soil is an easy way to amend this issue, at the same time, eliminating your food waste! It should be a fun and simple houseplant that adds a unique textural element to your home or office.
