Japanese name: オリヅルラン（折鶴蘭） Scientific name:Chlorophytum comosum
[Overview]
A perennial with thick, fleshy roots underground.
It sends out long runners, and plantlets with aerial roots form at the nodes at their tips, so the plant spreads.
Many leaves arise from the base, linear-lanceolate and 20–30 cm long.
Racemes arise from several nodes of the runners and bear small white 6-petaled flowers.
The fruit is a triangular capsule.
What is generally cultivated is a variegated horticultural variety.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by plantlets and division.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil rich in humus.
It tolerates shade, but plenty of sun gives a sturdier, more compact plant.
Direct summer sun causes leaf scorch, so in midsummer shade it or move it to partial shade.
It is cold-hardy and can overwinter at 5°C or above.
It has fleshy roots and is resistant to dryness; for potted plants, water when the soil surface dries from spring to autumn, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the garden, watering is unnecessary unless sunny weather continues for a very long time and the soil dries out.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil about once every 2 months.
Scale insects can occur.
[Notes]
The name compares the hanging plantlets to folded paper cranes.
