Japanese name: マルバビユ（丸葉莧） Scientific name:Iresine herbstii
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial about 60 cm tall.
The leaves are simple and opposite, broadly ovate to round, 4–6 cm long, with purplish red blades and veins tinged with bright red or yellow.
The leaf margins are entire.
There are also cultivars with green blades and yellow veins.
The flowers are small and greenish white, and are rarely seen to open.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by shoot cuttings and division.
It prefers a sunny, fertile, well-drained soil.
Poor light dulls the leaf color.
In winter, bring it indoors to a bright place.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries from spring to autumn and keep it on the dry side in winter; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include powdery mildew, aphids and spider mites.
