Wheat Plant Chlorophytum laxum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Chlorophytum bichetii
- Chlorophytum parviflorum
- Phonetic Spelling
- kloh-roh-FY-tum LAX-um
- Description
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Bichetii grass is an evergreen, rhizomatous, ornamental perennial that is similar to the spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum. Unlike the spider plant, Bichetii grass has a more compact habit. This plant has linear or lance-shaped variegated leaves and arching stems that bear panicles of small white flowers. It is frequently used as a houseplant or as a tropical groundcover in warmer climates. The genus name, Chlorophytum, is derived from two Greek words, chloros, meaning "green" and phyton, meaning "plant." This references the plants leaves. The specific epithet, laxum, is Latin and means "loose or relaxed." Bichetii grass is a member of the asparagas family (Asparagaceae).
This plant performs well in medium to low light conditions and requires a moist, well-drained potting mix. It is best to allow the soil to dry between watering. It is winter hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10 to 11. It prefers temperatures between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperatures begin to drop close to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant should be brought indoors. It may be propagated by division.
Bichetii grass grows 8 to 12 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide and has a dense and clumping habit. The roots are fibrous and have small oblong tubers. The leaves are grass-like, flat or folded, smooth, and green with creamy white banding down the center or along the margins of the leaves. The scape is slender and only 1 to 3 inches long. The flowers are white, tiny, star-like, and have 6 petals, but they are rarely seen. The fruits are capsules with three-winged cells containing 1 to 4 seeds. Flowers and fruits can occur from June to August.
This plant requires little maintenance and is easy to grow indoors as a houseplant and outdoors in frost-free climates either as container plant or bedding plant. It also does well in hanging baskets
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects. Potential diseases include root rot and leaf tip burn. Avoid direct sunlight. Does not tolerate overwatering and is frost intolerant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chlorophytum
- Species:
- laxum
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used as a medicinal plant by the Soliga tribe in Karnataka, India.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northeast Tropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Australia
- Distribution:
- Native: Bangladesh, Borneo, Chad, China, Ethiopia, India, Jawa, Malaya, Myanmar, Northern Territory, Oman, Queensland, Sri Lanka, Sumatera, Thailand, Vietnam, Western Australia, and Yemen.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Dense
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are capsules with 3 winged cells and contain 1 to 4 seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, inconspicuous white 6-petaled, star-shaped flowers that rarely appear.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are long, arching, smooth, flat or folded, linear, grass-like, green and variegated with a creamy white central band or creamy white margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
