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Clerodendrum chinense
Lamiaceae FAMILY

Clerodendrum chinense

Clerodendrum chinense

Edibility
0/5
Medicinal
3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub
Growth—

Species in this genus generally grow best in full sun or partial shade in a moist but well-drained soil[1]. Succeeds in a moderately to very sunny position in ordinary garden soil[2]. Widely cultivated as an ornamental, the plant is very aggressive and spreads freely by means of suckers[2]. It tends to escape easily from cultivation, becoming a weed in suitable climates - it has become.widespread throughout the tropics[3]. It is a major weed of roadsides and gardens in towns and villages and rapidly invades pastures and plantations wherever it is planted[4]. The flowers are very fragrant in the evening and attract butterflies[4]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth and so, to encourage flowering, any pruning is best carried out when the plant is dormant[5].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be erratic but usually takes place within 20 - 60 days at 20°c[6]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out. Cuttings of the stem or side branches root very easily - simply insert them in the soil and water at regular intervals until they are growing well[4]. Root cuttings, 6 - 8cm long usually grow away well[7]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Very easy, they can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Clerodendrum+chinense>

Pollinators

Butterflies, Insects

References

  1. [1]Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants — Ahmed Fayaz · Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand · 2011 · ISBN 978-1-55407-489 ↩︎A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
  2. [2]Tropical Flowering Plants. A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. — Llamas K.A. · Timber Press; Oregon. · 2003 · ISBN 0-88192-585-3 ↩︎A terse guide for the gardener to almost 1,500 species of ornamental tropical plants with brief details on their cultivation and, usually, a small photograph of good quality.
  3. [3]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
  4. [4]Flowers of India — http://www.flowersofindia.net/ ↩︎A wed site of native Indian plants, plus cultivated and naturalized species. It has good quality photos and terse details on more than 3,000 species and cultivars.
  5. [5]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  6. [6]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
  7. [7]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.