When Christmas arrives, it is common to buy a typical plant of this time, such as holly. However, for some time now we have been finding the so-called “false holly” in stores. Do you know it could be Osmanthus heterophyllus?
Do you want to know more about this plant and the care it needs? Well, here we have prepared a guide so that you have all the information you need about it.
Contents
How is Osmanthus heterophyllus
As we told you, Osmanthus heterophyllus is better known as “false holly” or “Chinese holly”. Its name, Osmanthus, comes from two Greek words: osme, which means perfume; and anthos, which means flower. Therefore, another of the names you might call it by is fragrant flower. But heterophyllus also comes from Latin, and this in turn from Greek, which gives us hetero, as diverse; and phyllys like a leaf.
It may already help you that it is a shrub (although some are classified as a tree) with various leaves. Can easily reach 6 meters in height if well cared for and perhaps most characteristic of this are its leaves, which are opposite, gable, and oblong. They can each measure between 3 and 6 centimeters and the edge of these will be serrated. In fact, it’s common for them to have small teeth that, if you’re not careful, can scratch you. They are dark green in front and lighter behind.
As for the flowers, they are white. and, as their name suggests, they are very fragrant. They are composed of about 4 petals each. They don’t measure much, barely around 6 mm. Fruit will come out, which will be rounded and blue, not black (not red as you might expect).
Although it is commonly called “Chinese holly”, the truth is that its origin is not China, but Japan. And while it wasn’t easy to get hold of before, it can now be found virtually anywhere in the world.
Osmanthus heterophyllus care
Do you have an Osmanthus heterophyllus at home? Did you buy it thinking it was a holly and find out it wasn’t? Don’t worry. In general, Chinese holly is also very easy to care for. Here we leave you with a summary of everything you need to take into account.
location and temperature
We start with the best place on this floor. In its natural habitat, it is found in semi-shaded areas or in full sun (depending on the climate). And in your home, you will have to do the same. If you live in a very hot region, it will be better to put it in partial shade so as not to dry it out too much; while if it is hot or cold, being in full sun will help it grow. This, yes, give it space because if you have it in the garden planted it will grow (maybe not up to 6 meters). In a pot you can better control its growth.
As for the temperature, its ideal is between 10 and 20ºC. But in general it will resist heat, as well as frost (as long as they are not intense or last a long time).
Substrate
Osmanthus heterophyllus likes humus-rich soils, that it remains a little moist and, in addition, light, that is to say drained. For this reason, we recommend making a mixture with pumice stone (for drainage), earthworm humus and some good quality soil.
If possible, try to keep the soil pH between 5 and 7.5. In case it goes out of these values, you can add a chemical or natural product to remedy it.
Irrigation
When Osmanthus heterophyllus is a young specimen, which we usually buy in stores, the need for irrigation is much greater than when it is an adult. That implies that, for the first year at least, you should water it regularlyespecially from spring to fall. In general, you should water 2-3 times a week (as long as it’s there to water, if it’s wet, skip it).
It is true that the soil must be moist, but not the roots, and if you go too far in watering you will contribute to their rot. Therefore, only water when you notice it needs it.
After this year, and the following ones, you will see that Osmanthus heterophyllus tolerates periods of drought.
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This plant does needs some compost, especially when planting (manure or similar) and then in early spring (which won’t hurt).
You can choose a liquid fertilizer to apply with the irrigation water or fertilize annually with manure and a single application of mineral fertilizer at the end of winter.
Size
If it is normal that over the months, especially when it grows, the Osmanthus heterophyllus is pruned to control its formation, every two years it is advisable to prune it a little harder to encourage it.
Plagues and diseases
You should know that Osmanthus heterophyllus is quite resistant to the most common pests and diseases (red spider, scale insects, aphids…) so don’t worry.
As for diseases, the same thing happens. Unless you do something to weaken him, he shouldn’t get sick. Even so, it shouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on it from time to time, especially if you have more plants as they can infect each other and it would be problematic if the pest increases or gets very strong.
Multiplication
Finally, if you want to propagate Osmanthus heterophyllus, you can do it by cuttings. Of course, new ones are not worth it, but those that are already about a year old (those with medium-hard wood). This way you will have a better chance of success (although we warn you that it is not easy). It should be at least 10 centimeters long and have at least one or two leaves.
In this case, After you cut them and the cut healed, you can run it through water until it removes the roots Or what you can do is plant it directly in a pot and leave it alone until you see it start to sprout.
Now all you have to do is have an Osmanthus heterophyllus and give it the care it needs to grow. Do you dare?