Pellionia (pell-ee-OH-nee-uh) houseplants, part of the Urticaceae family, are sometimes known as trailing watermelon begonias.
The beautiful leaves and trailing habits of Pellonia houseplants are the main reasons for their popularity.
Alphonse Odet Pellion (1796-1868) is honored with the genus name.
Pellion, an artist and naval draughtsman, served as a midshipman during a three-year scientific trip around the world in the early 19th century.
Pellionia houseplants are native to Southeast Asia, notably Vietnam, Malaysia, and Burma, and have greenish pink stems that culminate in rectangular, wavy-edged leaves.
Pellionia is a herbaceous perennial with a low growing habit of 3″ to 6″ inches and spreading or creeping tendencies of 1′ to 2′ feet, making it ideal as a groundcover.
It can also delicately climb terrarium backgrounds, hardscapes, and trails from a hanging basket.
These aren’t the easiest houseplants to care for as they demand a lot of humidity and can’t stand chilly drafts.
However, they create a lovely and unusual trailing plant if you offer the appropriate temperatures and sunlight requirements.
Pellionia is known by several common names, including:
- Polynesian Ivy
- Rainbow Vine
- Satin Pellionia
- Trailing Watermelon Begonia
- Wavy Watermelon Begonia
- Pellionia daveauana
Quick Facts On Pellonia
- Family: Urticaceae
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Temperature: 55° to 90° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Regular, even moisture
- Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer every 15 days during the growing season
- Propagation: Cuttings or layering
- Common Problems: Aphids, grey mold
Pellionia Care
How Big Do Trailing Pellionia Grow?
Pellonia plants only grow 2” to 5” inches tall, but they will grow several feet due to trailing.
When Does Pellonia Plant Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Pellionia repens can produce little green blooms, although these are uncommon and not appealing.
Pinch out the flowers because they take too much nourishment from the leaves. As a result, the flowers have little to no fragrance.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia is a tropical understory plant suited to winding over the rainforest floor.
Unfortunately, the plant cannot handle direct sunshine.
The plant’s deep green colors suggest it can tolerate lower light levels, but maximizing indirect light brightness will help keep those colors vibrant.
This tropical vine prefers heat and humidity. The Pellionia plant grows best in partial sun or shade if planted outside.
While the plant likes heat, this vine is sensitive to frost, and temperatures below 50° degrees Fahrenheit will cause significant harm to the plant.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Trailing Pellonia Plants?
To keep Pellionia repens healthy, keep it consistently wet at all times.
However, this water-loving vine will succumb to root rot if kept in a damp substrate for too long.
Let the top inch or two of the soil dry before watering again to ensure proper watering.
In terrarium settings, though, maintaining that steady moisture is exceptionally simple.
Using the correct substrate, you can build a closed system with lots of water available.
Apply a liquid fertilizer every 15 days during the growing season, diluted twice the recommended dosage. Feeding is not necessary for the winter.
What Is The Best Soil For Pellonia Plants, And When Should You Transplant?
The Trailing Watermelon Begonia isn’t picky about where it’s planted and should thrive in various tropical substrates.
Something with a lot of water retention provides the essential hydration and enough drainage to prevent root rot.
Once a year in the spring, it is advisable to transplant your Trailing Watermelon Begonia into shallow but wide pots, so the plant grows in breadth.
Keep Pellionia in the shade temporarily after transplanting.
Do Pellionia Plants Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Pellionia pulchra is one of those straightforward plants that require little maintenance.
While overly long stems can be nipped back at any time of year, trimming leggy plants in the spring is generally recommended.
How To Propagate Trailing Watermelon Begonia?
Because there are roots at every node, the Trailing Watermelon Begonia is straightforward to reproduce.
Here’s what to do:
- Remove the plant’s bottom leaves first, then remove stem cuttings at least 4 inches long.
- Place the stem cuttings in damp soil drains fast and with a high peat moss concentration.
- Use at least 3 to 4 cuttings per pot.
- Keep the temperature between 70° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
Polynesian Ivy Pests And Diseases
Pellionia plants are susceptible to sap-sucking aphids. Start spraying your plant with a decent insecticide to keep it healthy.
Neem oil, in particular, eradicates pests and illnesses from the plant.
Grey mold and brownish-grey dust suggest that the plant needs to be moved to a warmer part of the house.
Also, spray with an appropriate fungicide at the first sign of the mold.
Satin Pellionia Uses
Satin Pellionia looks fantastic in containers and hanging baskets. It’s also an excellent plant for tall plant stands, where the trailing foliage cascades down.
During the summer, it’s ideal for growing on a lightly shaded deck, patio, or porch.