{"product_id":"pisonia-alba-10-grow-bag","title":"Pisonia Alba - 10\" Grow bag","description":"\u003cp\u003ePisonia alba, popularly called the Lettuce Tree, is a soft-wooded small tree or large shrub from the Nyctaginaceae family. It is grown across warmer parts of India for its strikingly pale, lime-green to creamy-white leaves that brighten shaded corners and act as a colour contrast among darker foliage plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe tender, almost translucent leaves are edible and have a long history of use in South Indian Siddha medicine, while the plant itself is valued as a low-maintenance ornamental hedge or specimen. It tolerates pruning extremely well and is easily multiplied from cuttings, making it a favourite for quick green cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt thrives in the tropical heat and humidity of coastal and plains India, needing little more than sun, regular moisture and well-drained soil to push out flush after flush of soft new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNyctaginaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific tropics; widely cultivated across India\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-8 m as a tree; often kept 1-2 m as a clipped shrub\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-4 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, ovate, pale yellow-green to creamy-white leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreenish-white (rarely flowers in cultivation)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely flowers in Indian gardens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and warm sub-tropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade; leaf colour is palest and brightest in good light.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegular watering to keep soil evenly moist, especially in summer; avoid waterlogging.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertile, well-drained loamy soil enriched with organic matter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBest at 20-35 C; thrives in tropical heat and is sensitive to frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high humidity preferred.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeed monthly in the growing season with balanced fertiliser or compost\/vermicompost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates hard pruning very well; trim regularly to maintain a bushy hedge or shape.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIf container-grown, repot every 1-2 years into a larger pot with fresh mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasily propagated from semi-hardwood stem cuttings, which root readily.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWatch for mealybugs, scale insects and aphids on soft new growth.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNon-toxic; the leaves are edible and traditionally cooked and used in Siddha medicine.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Pisonia alba is grown for both ornamental and practical purposes in India:\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;As a bright foliage shrub, hedge or screen to light up shaded garden spaces.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;As a soft-wooded specimen plant in tropical and coastal gardens.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;The tender leaves are edible and used as a leafy vegetable in some South Indian kitchens.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Long used in Siddha and folk medicine, traditionally applied for wounds, swelling and joint complaints.\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Plant or transplant at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) so cuttings and saplings establish in warm, moist conditions.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;During the dry, hot months (March-May) water frequently and mulch the base to retain moisture and keep the leaves looking fresh.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Pinch and prune through the growing season to encourage dense, bushy growth and a steady flush of pale new leaves. In cooler North Indian winters, protect young plants from frost.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy is Pisonia alba called the Lettuce Tree?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts leaves are soft, pale and almost translucent like lettuce, and they are in fact edible and used as a leafy green in parts of South India.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I keep the foliage bright and dense?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow it in full sun to bright light, water regularly, feed monthly in the growing season and prune often to encourage bushy new growth with the palest colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Pisonia alba safe around children and pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it is regarded as non-toxic; the leaves are edible and traditionally used in cooking and Siddha medicine, so it is a safe choice for family gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256293064950,"sku":"PLT-PISONIAALBA-B10-NA","price":399.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-plants-pisonia-alba-catchbirdtrees-birdcatcher-birdlime-plant-16969203548300.jpg?v=1783923438","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/pisonia-alba-10-grow-bag","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}