Laurel of Alexandria (Ruscus hypophyllum)

El Alexandria laurel It is a fantastic plant, ideal to have in a pot in a corner of the patio, or on the ground. Its hanging pole makes it a plant being worthy of admiration, since it also has a characteristic that will surely surprise you: its flowers sprout from the same leaves.

If you want to meet her, you know. Here is your file.

Origin and characteristics

It is an evergreen plant whose scientific name is Ruscus hypophyllum, although it is popularly known as laureola or laurel of Alexandria. It is native to North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. It reaches a height of 1 meter, and develops unbranched stems from which membranous leaves emerge, without spines at their apex..

The flowers are small, unisexual, and they meet in groups of 3 to 10. The male ones are composed of 6 tepals, united at the base, of a greenish-white color and 6 stamens; the female ones have 1 pistil. It blooms between winter and spring. The fruit is fleshy, berry-like, and bright red in color.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

• Location: outside, in semi-shade.
• Earth:
  • Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
  • Garden: for it to be well it must be fertile, with good drainage.
• Irrigation: about 3 times a week in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year. We must avoid waterlogging, but also that the earth dries too much.
• Subscriber: from spring to summer with ecological fertilizers. In case of having it in a pot, we will use liquid fertilizers following the indications specified on the container.
• Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
• Rusticity: it is a plant that supports cold and frosts down to -4ºC, but lives better in warm areas.

What did you think of the laurel of Alexandria? Have you heard of him?