Jatropha podagrica – Indoor House Plants

Jatropha podagrica is an ornamental, perennial houseplant that
can grow up to 2 to 3 feet tall. The stem is swollen into
vasculum at the base and filled with thin sap. Gout plant
produces long lasting clusters of bright red coral-like blooms
throughout the year. The blossoms mature to blueberry-sized green fruits that contain thick brown seeds that can be as large as a 1.3 cm long. All parts of Buddha belly plants are poisonous, particularly the seeds where one seed is sufficient to cause severe poisoning.

Scientific Name: Jatropha podagrica
Common Names: Buddha belly plant, bottleplant shrub, gout plant, purging-nut, Guatemalan rhubarb, and goutystalk nettlespurge.

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Jatropha podagrica (Buddha belly plant):

Light:
It thrives well in full to partial sunlight during the growing
season. Place the plant next to a bright, south-facing window or
outdoors in direct sunlight during the summer months.

Soil:
It grows best in fertile, well-drained sandy soil however tolerate any type of soils.

Water:
Water your plant regularly during the growing season and always
keep the soil evenly moist but never allow your plant to sit in
water. You can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between
each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.

Temperature:
It thrives well in temperatures of 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit
during the daytime and 60 to 65 degrees at night.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize your Buddha belly plant once every month during the
growing season with a liquid fertilizer.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated from seed. It also self-sow easily on soil.

Pests and Diseases:
There is no serious pest or disease issues.