Jaltomata procumbens
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Jaltomata procumbens

Creeping false holly

Tier 1 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
5–7
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
345
Observations
4

Description

Source: leafsnap

Jaltomata procumbens, the creeping false holly, is a plant species native to Arizona, USA, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. It grows as a weed in agricultural fields and other disturbed locations, but in many places the people protect it because of the edible fruits it produces.Jaltomata procumbens is a spreading, trailing to ascending herb forming many shoots from a single root. Leaves are broadly lanceolate, up to 20 cm long, dark green. Flowers are rotate, pale yellow-green with darker green spots toward the center. Berries are dark purple, spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, with a strong scent resembling that of grapes (Vitis spp.).

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Creeping false holly is a sun-loving perennial herbaceous plant native to open habitats, commonly thriving in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Creeping false holly is fairly adaptable to temperature, able to withstand high heat and significant temperature swings. In hot weather, care should be taken with watering and providing proper shade to avoid sunburn. However, creeping false holly is not very tolerant of low temperatures. While it can handle some cold, extremely low temperatures can cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
FAQ
What is the common and botanical name of Creeping false holly?

Creeping false holly is commonly known by its name Creeping false holly, and its botanical name is Jaltomata procumbens.

💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 5-7
Soil pH: 5-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The Creeping false holly plant needs adequate nutrients to achieve optimal fruit production. Fertilize in early spring to encourage new growth and bloom development. Regular feeding keeps the plant healthy, produces more delicious fruit, and prevents nutrient-deficiency problems such as yellow leaves and poor fruit production.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

To ensure optimal health for creeping false holly, it is important to prune it in early spring. Remove any dead stems and thin out dense areas to improve airflow, which encourages fruit production. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can affect its natural shape. Always use clean, sharp tools to reduce the risk of disease.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Jaltomata
Family
Solanaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
30 cm to 61 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 49 cm
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Fall, Early winter
Native Area
Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama

Tags (5)

Common Names (1)

en Creeping false holly