Leea rubra, commonly known as red leea, is a plant in the family Vitaceae native to Bangladesh, Assam, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, New Guinea, the Northern Territory and Queensland. It is a small shrub growing up to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall with 2-, 3- or 4-pinnate leaves. The flower buds and stems are bright red, the five petals may be cream, pink or red. The fruit is a red, purple or black berry about 11 mm (0.43 in) diameter containing 4-6 seeds.
The Red Tree Shrub has strong disease resistance and is generally not susceptible to illnesses. In terms of care, this plant is fairly low maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only minimal watering, and larger specimens usually do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they finish blooming. The Red Tree Shrub is suitable for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and does not call for extensive plant-care experience.
How to keep Leea Rubra.
Light
The red tree shrub does best when it gets a generous amount of sunlight each day, though it can adapt to lower light, which may slow its growth. Originally from areas with abundant sun, excessive sunlight can scorch its leaves, while inadequate light can cause weak growth and faded foliage.
Water
The red tree shrub flourishes in humid conditions and is also resilient to drought. To keep it healthy, water it every 2-3 weeks. If grown outdoors in warmer climates, applying mulch can help conserve soil moisture and reduce evaporation.
Temperature
Red tree shrub comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is well adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a stable temperature environment, so avoid temperature fluctuations indoors. It generally cannot withstand cold and needs higher temperatures to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.
Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Red tree shrub is in early spring, when it comes out of dormancy. This encourages overall growth and the development of flowers. Fertilization improves the foliage, stems, and branches, while encouraging flowers that are large, vivid, and long-lasting. It helps move nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant's health and resistance to disease.
Pruning
The red tree shrub is a stunning plant known for its vibrant red foliage. To maintain its health and attractive shape, prune dead branches and any overcrowded areas during its dormant period, which is from early to late winter. This will encourage healthier growth, enhance blooming, and help prevent pest and disease problems.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Leea
- Family
- Vitaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 3.05 m
- Mature Spread
- 0.91 m to 2.13 m
- Leaf Color
- Green, Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Red
- Flower Size
- 0.51 cm to 0.51 cm
- Bloom Time
- Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer
- Harvest Time
- Fall, Early winter, Mid winter
- Native Area
- India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand
Other names.
Reader questions.
How should I water my Red tree shrub?
Your Red tree shrub is not very particular about how you water it. You can use any common watering tool, such as watering cans, hoses, or even cups, to moisten the soil. Regardless of the tool you choose, make sure to water the soil directly. It's important to evenly moisten all areas of the soil to ensure all parts of the root system receive the necessary water. Using filtered water is recommended to avoid harmful particles that may be present in tap water. Additionally, it's best to use water that is at or slightly above room temperature, as extremely hot or cold water can be a shock to the Red tree shrub. However, generally speaking, the Red tree shrub responds well to any type of water.
What are the sunlight requirements for Red tree shrub (Leea rubra)?
The Red tree shrub (Leea rubra) thrives best in full sun conditions, requiring above 6 hours of sunlight daily. However, it can also adjust to partial sun or full shade, which means about 3-6 hours of sunlight. Observing the movement of sunlight through your garden helps in choosing the right spots for your plants, ensuring they get a balanced amount of light and shade to flourish.
What is the name of the red tree shrub?
The red tree shrub is known as Leea rubra.
What should I do if I give my Red tree shrub too much or too little water?
For outdoor plants, especially newly planted ones or seedlings, lack of watering is a common issue. It's important to consistently water these plants for several months while they are small or recently planted. Once the roots are established, the Red tree shrub can typically rely on rain for moisture. When the Red tree shrub is in a pot, overwatering is more likely to occur. If you accidentally overwater your plant, there are steps you can take to address the situation. First, stop watering immediately to minimize the impact of overwatering. Next, remove the Red tree shrub from its pot and check the roots for any signs of root rot. If there is no root rot, you can return the plant to its container. However, if there is root rot, trim away the affected roots and consider applying a fungicide to prevent further damage. Finally, repot the Red tree shrub in well-draining soil. In the case of underwatering, simply water the Red tree shrub more frequently. This is usually an easy fix, as the leaves of the plant will droop, dry out, and fall off when underwatered. Once sufficient watering is provided, the leaves will quickly regain their fullness. It's important to adjust your watering frequency as soon as you notice signs of underwatering.
What are some essential care tips for the Red tree shrub?
The Red tree shrub demands a generous amount of sunlight daily due to its origin in sunny habitats. While too much sunlight could cause leaf scorch, insufficient light may result in weak growth and faded foliage. In environments where natural sunlight is limited, such as during winter or in less sunny spaces, artificial lighting can be a vital solution. LED lights are recommended for their ability to provide specific wavelengths needed by plants. Full sun plants require 30-50W per square foot, partial sun plants 20-30W per square foot, and full shade plants 10-20W per square foot of artificial light. Positioning the light source 12-36 inches above the plant and ensuring 8-12 hours of light per day mimics natural daylight conditions, promoting healthier growth.
How many times do I need to water my Red tree shrub?
To ensure healthy growth for most outdoor plants, natural rainfall is usually sufficient. However, if your area lacks rainfall, you should consider watering your plants every 2 weeks in the spring and fall. During the summer, more frequent watering is necessary, while in the winter, plants require less water and can be watered sparingly or not at all. If your Red tree shrub is young or newly planted, it needs more frequent watering to establish itself and become more drought tolerant. For potted plants like the Red tree shrub, there are two ways to determine the watering frequency. One option is to follow a predetermined watering schedule, such as once a week or every other week. However, this approach may not account for the specific conditions of your plant's environment. Alternatively, you can assess the soil moisture to determine when to water. Usually, it is best to wait until the top 2 to 4 inches of soil in the pots have completely dried out before watering again. Keep in mind that during the summer, the plant will likely require more frequent watering than what the predetermined schedule suggests.
What symptoms indicate light deficiency in Red tree shrub?
When the Red tree shrub is placed in suboptimal lighting, it may develop small and lighter-colored new leaves, showing sparse and leggy growth. Early leaf drop can occur due to the plant conserving resources in low light conditions, and growth may slow down or cease entirely. In contrast, excessive sunlight can cause chlorosis, where leaves lose their green color, and sunscald, marked by pale, bleached areas on the plant tissue. Symptoms like leaf curling, wilting, and leaf scorching also indicate stress from too much sunlight.
How should I water my Red tree shrub as it grows?
When the Red tree shrub is young, especially as a seedling, it requires more water compared to when it is fully grown. It is crucial to keep the soil consistently moist during the early stages of the plant's life to promote root development. This also applies if you have recently transplanted a Red tree shrub to a new location. Additionally, the Red tree shrub can produce beautiful flowers and fruits when given proper care. If your Red tree shrub is in the flowering or fruiting phase, you may need to provide a slightly higher amount of water to support these plant structures.
How can I manage sunlight exposure for my Red tree shrub to ensure its healthy growth?
Managing sunlight exposure involves gradually moving your plants to provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, especially using a south-facing window for indoor plants. Supplementing with artificial light, like professional grow lights, for at least 8 hours daily can help if the plant is large or not easily movable. Outdoors, adapt your plants to sunlight changes gradually to prevent sunburn. You might need to reduce obstructions like overhanging branches or consider transplanting to a sunnier spot with good drainage for ground-planted shrubs. Remember, parts of the plant affected by insufficient light might not recover, but new growth should be healthy once proper light conditions are restored.
How much water does my Red tree shrub require?
When watering your Red tree shrub, you might be surprised to learn that it doesn't always require a large amount of water. Instead, if only a few inches of soil have dried since the last watering, giving it about five to ten ounces of water will support healthy growth. You can also determine the amount of water based on the moisture in the soil. Keep track of how many inches of soil have dried between waterings. To ensure the Red tree shrub gets enough moisture, water it enough to moisten all the dry soil layers since the last watering. If over half of the soil has dried, consider providing more water. In these cases, continue watering until excess water drains from the pot's drainage holes. If your Red tree shrub is planted in a well-watered outdoor area, it may not require additional watering. When the Red tree shrub is young or establishing, it should receive 1-2 inches of rain per week. As it grows and establishes, it can rely solely on rainwater. Only when the weather is hot and no rainfall occurs for 2-3 weeks should you consider giving the Red tree shrub a full watering to prevent stress.
How can I know if I'm giving enough water to my Red tree shrub?
The Red tree shrub is more commonly affected by overwatering, and there are several signs to watch out for. When overwatered, the shrub's leaves will turn yellow and even fall off. Overwatering can also cause the plant's overall structure to shrink and may lead to root rot. On the other hand, an underwatered Red tree shrub will start to wilt and may have brown or brittle leaves. Regardless of whether you observe signs of overwatering or underwatering, it's important to take action to revive your Red tree shrub's health.
How should I keep my Red tree shrub watered all year?
The watering needs of your Red tree shrub will be affected by the seasonal changes. In the hottest summer months, you'll need to increase the amount of water you give the plant, especially if it's in a sunny location. The intense summer sunlight can dry out the soil faster than usual, so you'll have to water more often. On the other hand, during the winter, when the plant isn't actively growing, it will require less water. You can water it once every 2 to 3 weeks or even less frequently. If you have the plant indoors, be cautious of appliances like air conditioners, as they can dry out the plant faster, meaning you'll need to water more often.