Modiolastrum lateritium
Modiolastrum lateritium
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Modiolastrum lateritium is found in the warm temperate to subtropical climate from central Argentina to southern Brazil. This species is not very cold tolerant, but is known to survive winter temperatures falling for short periods down to as low as -8°c. Requires a warm, sunny position in a well-drained soil. One report says that it grows and flowers best in a sun-baked nitrogen-starved soil, whilst another says that it requires a rich soil to do well. The plant produes long trailing stems, it is a weak climber, but grows well as a creeping plant where its stems make an effective ground cover.
Propagation
Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in protected conditions for their first winter. Plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer[PFAF]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of side shoots, mid summer in a cold frame[1]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Modiolastrum+lateritium>
Pollinators
Insects