How to Grow and Care for Leopard Plant

The leopard plant, also known as the tractor seat plant or green leopard plant, is an herbaceousperennialknown for its large, rounded leathery green leaves and its clusters of tiny golden yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom on tall stalks. This tropical plant grows best in warm, moist soils and prefers a shady spot.

Note that leopard plant is toxic to people and pets.

Leopard Plant Care

Leopard plant is an excellent choice for shady spots. Here are the main care requirements for growing a leopard plant:

• Plant in partial to full shade.
• Prepare nutrient-rich soil that holds some moisture.
• Water regularly and protect leopard plant from drought.
• Protect the plant from full sun and strong winds.
• Amend the soil with compost or fertilizer each spring.
  

Light

Leopard plant needs partial to full shade. It is not a plant that can tolerate much direct sun, which causes the leaves to wilt and burn. As a houseplant, it tolerates indirect and low-light conditions.

Soil

Leopard plant requires a rich, humus-heavy soil that is consistently moist, even wet. It tolerates a range of pH levels, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Water

These shade perennials get pretty thirsty, therefore they are good wet-area plants. In the absence of frequent rain, they need irrigation on an ongoing basis. Make sure to give them a deep soaking at least once a week.

Temperature and Humidity

To be grown outdoors year-round, the plant needs a warm, tropical climate. It does best in humid conditions. In dry weather, misting the leaves helps to increase humidity.

Fertilizer

If planted in rich, humus-heavy soil, leopard plants don't require any feeding but they benefit from a thick layer of organic matter, applied in the spring.

Types of Leopard Plant

The common name of the plant, leopard plant, originated with the spotted foliage found on some of the native species, though this feature doesn't exist in most of the cultivated varieties. Here are several varieties of the plant, including:

• F. japonicum 'Aureomaculatum' is a cultivar with heavily speckled green-yellow leaves.
  
• F. japonicum 'Crispatum' has gray-green leathery leaves with crispy edges.
• F. japonicum 'Shishi Botan' has gray-green leaves that are heavily ruffled and crinkled, similar to parsley.
• F. japonicum var. giganteum (giant leopard plant) reaches 3 to 4 feet in height and spreads 2 to 3 feet with large leaves.
• F. japonicum 'Wavy Gravy' is a compact cultivar with a rounded growth habit.

Pruning

Pruning leopard plants is not necessary for growth, but sometimes you may want to prune to achieve a specific shape or to clear a path in which leopard plants have overgrown.

Using clean sheers, prune away any growth you like, preferably in late winter or early spring. Avoid pruning more than 1/3 of the plant at once.

Propagating Leopard Plant

Leopard plant forms dense clumps that can be divided in the spring after new growth has started. Here's how:

1. Using a shovel, lift the entire clump out of the soil.
2. Divide it into segments using a sharp knife. Make sure that each segment shows some new growth.
3. Replant the segments in a new, shady location with moist, rich soil, at the same depth as the original plant. Water it well and keep the soil evenly moist at all times.
   

How to Grow Leopard Plant From Seed

Leopard plants can be grown from seed, although germination might be erratic. Once the flowers fade, small dandelion-like puffballs filled with tiny seeds scatter to reseed but you can try to harvest these seeds, too.

1. Fill a seedling tray or pots with sterile potting mix and water it until evenly moist.
2. Place the seeds on the surface and press them down lightly; do not cover them as they need light to germinate.
3. Spray them with water and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
4. Place the pots in an indoor location with bright indirect light. Germination can take up to six weeks.
5. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted into larger pots or outdoors in late spring or early summer. Make sure to harden off seedlings before planting outside.
   

Potting and Repotting

Leopard plant is suitable to be grown in containers and as houseplants. A 12- to 16-inch pot works well for most cultivars. Terra cotta is ideal as it lets excess moisture evaporate and keeps the soil cooler than plastic pots. Make sure the container has adequate drainage holes and the potting medium also drains well.

As leopard plant prefers rich soil—and the frequent watering of container plants washes out nutrients—it needs more fertilizer than in garden soil. Fertilize it monthly with a slow-release balanced fertilizer, starting at the beginning of the growing season in the spring and until the late summer. Do not fertilize it during the winter when the plant goes dormant.

Repot the plant as needed when the roots start to outgrow the container.

Overwintering

Leopard plants are evergreen, although they will go dormant and die back if temperatures drop down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In the fall, cover the crowns with 3 inches or so of mulch, pulling it back as new growth begins in the spring.

If the plant is exposed to an extended hard freeze (below 28 degrees Fahrenheit), there is a chance it will die and need to be replanted again.

When grown in containers below USDA zone 7, leopard plant needs to be brought indoors for the winter. Place it in a location with bright indirect light. During dormancy, it needs less water but the soil should never fully dry out so water as needed.

Common Pests

Leopard plant is not prone to serious pests and diseases but slugs and snails are drawn to the leaves. If slugs are an issue in your yard, one of several methods to keep them at bay is to use diatomaceous earth.

How to Get Leopard Plant to Bloom

Shade-loving leopard plants are reliable bloomers, as long as they're in good health. While these plants may be known more for their foliage, their flowers are striking as well.

Bloom Months

The bloom time varies depending on the climate. Warmer climates see blooms appear earlier in the summer. In cold winter climates, the first blooms arrive in early August and provide color for latesummer.

What Do Leopard Plant Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Leopard plant flowers are deep yellow and look almost like tiny daisies. emerging in clusters on tall stalks. There is no indication of fragrance, though the flowers do attract butterflies.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Failure to bloom might result from too much nitrogen in the soil or too much sunlight. The leopard plant is one of the few blooming plants that thrive in shady conditions.

Common Problems With Leopard Plants

The leopard plant is relatively maintenance-free as long as it grows in the right conditions. The amount of shade or sun may need to be adjusted so look for these signs to let you know.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow or pale leaves mean the plant is not getting enough sunlight. Even though the flower prefers more shade than sunlight, the particular plant you are growing may want a bit more sun. The plant is not making enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight.

Wilted, Burned Leaves

Wilting and burned leaves are typical signs that the leopard plant is getting too much sunlight or too little water.

Leggy, Lanky Growth

Leggy growth may also mean that the plant is not receiving enough sun.

From: thespruce