Pagoda Plant Care: Clerodendrum paniculatum

With the world moving toward environmental sustainability, a new trend has claimed fame – keeping plants indoors.

Yes, this isn’t a new thing entirely, but more and more people are now open to the idea of becoming plant parents.

However, what scares most people is the prospect of taking care of their plants and what might happen if they forget to water their plants or use the wrong kind of fertilizer. This is where hardy plants come in.

If you are looking for a plant species that is incredibly resilient but also gorgeous, we can’t think of a better option than the Asian Pagoda plant.  

The Asian Pagoda Plant  

Originating from the tropical regions of several Asian countries, including Southern China, Japan, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, the Clerodendrum paniculatum, or the Pagoda plant, is now a popular outdoor and indoor plant globally. 

The White and Orange Pagoda Flower

Named after its flower bunches that resemble an Asian Pagoda structure, the Pagoda plant displays beautiful bright orange-red stems and orange-white flowers. 

Since these white and orange Pagoda flowers are surrounded by its deep green foliage, the contrast between the two color groups creates a remarkable aesthetic appeal.  

In spring, a single Pagoda plant will develop multiple pagoda shaped orange-white flowers that grow upward and remain upright when kept in ideal living conditions.  

However, that’s just one of the benefits of a pagoda plant.

Pagoda Plants Are Also Extremely Resilient  

Clerodendrum paniculatum is a relatively drought-tolerant plant with extremely high tolerance to a lack of care and less-than-ideal conditions.  

Known for having the same properties as other plant species from Southeast Asia, a Pagoda plant can survive and thrive outdoors and indoors as long as the ideal tropical environment is maintained. 

However, although the Pagoda plant is quite resilient, you must still water it regularly, especially during the early spring growing season.

This regular watering encourages fast growth, a healthy spread, and freshly blooming Pagoda flowers.  

So what’s the care routine for a Pagoda plant? Let’s find out.

Pagoda Plant Care – What You Need to Know

Watering

Pagoda plants can survive drought-like conditions for a limited period, but they do best in moist soils.

Therefore, you should water your Pagoda plant once or twice every week, so its soil retains moisture at all times.

However, you must be consistent. Don’t over or underwater your pagoda plant.

Infrequent watering, especially during the summer months, will cause your pagoda plant to dehydrate and die.

On the flip side, persistent overwatering can also affect the Clerodendrum Paniculatum plant, causing root rot.

What is Root Rot?   

Plants can only absorb a certain amount of water. When there’s too much moisture, any remaining water is left in the soil until it evaporates or the plant can make use of it.

However, this wet soil is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungal spores.

If fungal spores settle on the soggy soil before it dries, it takes less than a few days for the fungus to grow and spread all the way to the planter’s roots.

When this happens, the growing fungus fully engulfs the roots, causing them to rot and decay.

As a result, with fewer healthy roots left behind, the flowers are deprived of water, which causes leaf loss, yellow leaves, and may lead to the plant dying.

This condition is especially prevalent in the late winter when the soil stays moist for longer.

Hence, to prevent fungus and the roots from rotting, plant your Pagoda plant in well drained soil and water it using a measured container or jug.

Bright Indirect Light Exposure

Pagoda plants require full sun exposure, especially during the growing season. However, too much direct sunlight isn’t good for them.

If Clerodendrum paniculatum is left unprotected under the sun for too long, the heat can cause the plant’s internal body temperature to rise.

As a result, the leaves will begin transpiring water in an attempt to bring down its internal temperature.

Although this natural coping mechanism is quite effective, it can lead to dehydration.

To avoid this, grow a Pagoda plant under partial shade to prevent it from dehydrating and wilting.

If you have an indoor potted Pagoda plant, simply place it in a brightly lit corner of the house that has sufficient shade, especially during the summer months.

Moreover, if your Pagoda plant is planted outdoors, invest in a sail shade or fiberglass canopy to prevent the hot summer heat from burning your plant.

Humidity Levels  

Like most other tropical plants, the Pagoda plant requires a level of atmospheric humidity. Ideally, Pagoda plants thrive in 50-60% humidity.

However, if the air is too humid, it may add excessive moisture to the plant’s soil. This can lead to some of the issues of overwatering mentioned above.

Similarly, if the surrounding air is too dry, the Pagoda plant will start to dry up. Too much of this will lead to dehydration, compromised sucrose production, and reduced immunity.

If you live in an area with high humidity, invest in better air circulation. If the atmosphere is too dry, invest in a humidifier.

Fertilizer Requirements   

Adding a balanced fertilizer to Clerodendrum paniculatum’s soil can provide the flowers and leaves with the essential nutrients they need to grow.

Therefore, add an appropriate nitrate nitrogen rich fertilizer to your growing Pagoda plant’s soil, especially during the growing season (early summer).

Pot Drainage

Pagoda flower plants growing indoors are directly affected by poor pot drainage and the accumulation of excessive moisture.

When the plant is potted inside poorly draining soil, in a pot that prevents proper drainage due to its shape, or in pots with clogged drainage holes, they are at a greater risk of infections.

Hence, ensure that the Pagoda plants are planted inside pots with abundant drainage holes, and remember to water your plant only after the soil dries.     

Pest Protection

Not protecting your Pagoda plants against pests like spider mites will surely lead to their death. These pests are considered invasive and will kill your plant if you let them.

Inspect the Pagoda plant’s leaves, stems, and flowers to keep an eye out for fungal gnats, spider mites, and other plant pests.

If you are dealing with an infection, use the appropriate methods to deal with them (washing the leaves, using pesticides, etc.)

Propagation

Like most other tropical flowering plants, the Pagoda planter can be propagated from its stems or stem cuttings.

All you need to do is cut a long part of the Pagoda stems and grow those cuttings in moist and nutrient-rich soil.

As soon as new roots begin to grow from the stem cuttings, dig them out and replant the cuttings inside separate pots, and water regularly.

Final Thoughts  

Sharing a striking resemblance with Asian pagoda buildings, the Pagoda plant is a vibrant, highly tolerant, and fast-growing plant that can survive indoors and outdoors as long as ideal living conditions are provided.

To facilitate the development of denser foliage and keep your home and garden looking beautiful, water your Pagoda flower plant carefully during the winter and summer seasons.

Moreover, don’t let its soil dry out completely, indulge in seasonal pruning to prune away the yellow leaves and growing shrubs, and give your plants enough space to thrive and grow quickly.