Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it thrives in terrariums or shallow containers with acidic soil.

Guide botanique

Partridgeberry.

Mitchella repens

Prononciation mi-CHELL-uh REE-penz

Aussi appelée Partridge-berry, Partridgeberry, Squawvine, Twinberry, pigeon plum, running box, turkeyberry, two-eyed berry

Partridgeberry is a charming, low growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in cool, moist woodland settings. It produces delicate white flowers followed by bright red berries that often persist through winter. This plant is a wonderful choice for terrariums or shaded rock gardens.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Moyenne
Type de plante: Perennial groundcover
Lumière: Partial shade to full shade
Lumière en intérieur: Lumière moyenne
Arrosage: Tous les 3 à 7 jours
Taille adulte: 2 to 3 inches tall
Croissance: Lente
Rusticité: USDA 3 à 9
Floraison: Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to mimic its natural forest floor habitat. Watch for wilting or leaf drop, which often signal that the soil has dried out too much. Provide high humidity and avoid harsh, direct sunlight to keep the foliage healthy.

Arrosage: Keep the soil evenly moist at all times without letting it dry out completely.
Engrais: Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Taille: Trim back any straggly or dead stems in early spring to encourage a denser growth habit.
Rempotage: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container or the soil has degraded.
Sol: Rich, acidic, humusy soil
pH du sol: 4.5 to 6.0
Température: -30 à 30°C
Humidité: 60 à 90%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Faible
Durée de vie: Perennial, long lived in ideal conditions.
Parfum: Léger
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Moyenne

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots circling the bottom of the container
Growth slows significantly
Soil becomes compacted and drains poorly

Sécurité

Humains: This plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Enfants: The small red berries may pose a choking hazard to very small children.
Allergènes de contact: No known skin irritants are associated with this plant.
Allergènes aéroportés: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies from this species.
Comestibilité: While the berries are technically edible, they are flavorless and best left for wildlife.

Comment l'identifier

Creeping stems that root at nodes
Small, rounded, dark green leaves
White, fragrant, trumpet shaped flowers
Bright red, edible berries
Opposite leaf arrangement

Hauteur: 0,02 à 0,05m
Envergure: 0,15 à 0,6m
Feuilles: dark green, white-veined, evergreen
Fleurs: white, 1 à 1,5cm
Fruits: red, Late summer to winter

Problèmes courants

Root rot — Occurs when the soil remains waterlogged for extended periods.

La cultiver

Multiplication: division, cuttings, seed
Quand planter: spring, fall
Hivernage: It is hardy and requires no special protection, though a light layer of leaf mulch can help retain moisture.
En pot: It is excellent for terrariums or shallow pots, provided the soil stays consistently moist.

Division

1. Gently lift a section of the mat in spring.
2. Separate into smaller clumps with roots attached.
3. Replant immediately in moist, acidic soil.

Plant in groups of three or more to ensure better pollination and fruit set.

Bonnes associations

White Trillium — They share similar woodland shade and moisture requirements.
Christmas fern — Ferns provide a nice textural contrast to the low mat of the partridgeberry.

Espèces similaires

Wintergreen — Both are low growing, evergreen, and produce red berries in woodland settings.

Science

Famille: Rubiaceae
Genre: Mitchella
Ordre: Gentianales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Eastern North America
Préservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It grows in moist, acidic woodland soils where it forms a carpet under trees.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source, winter food for birds
Pollinisateurs: abeilles, papillons
Utilisations: groundcover, terrarium plant, woodland garden

Au fil des saisons

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Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 1/9
Réaction du sol: 3/9
Lumière: 2/9
Température: 4/9
Humidité: 7/9
Nutriments: 3/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it thrives in terrariums or shallow containers with acidic soil.

D'où vient le nom

The genus honors John Mitchell, an early American botanist, while the species name means creeping.

Bon à savoir

It is commonly known as partridgeberry because partridges enjoy the fruit.
The plant forms a dense mat that helps suppress weeds.
It is a slow growing creeper that stays close to the forest floor.

Aussi dans

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Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.