Apoballis

apoballis

( ay - poh - BALL - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of plants includes species native to southeast Asia, primarily on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Individual plants reach up to between 3 and 4 feet in height and commonly have red or purple coloring on the undersides of leaves. Species in this genus are grown mainly as houseplants outside their native range, but can be grown outdoors in tropical and subtropical zones. Use these foliage plants to add fullness to mixed beds and borders, or use them to decorate indoor spaces. Take care when working with these plants and using them indoors, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Apoballis Species and Varietals

The genus Apoballis is a member of the plant family Araceae and includes just 12 species. It is sometimes categorized under the genus Schismatoglottis. These plants can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b, requiring consistently warm temperatures (between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit). To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Apoballis acuminatiisima (Homalomena, Red Sword, Purple Sword)
The most commonly grown varietal of this species is called 'Lavallaei', which has mottled silver and green leaves with reddish undersides. These plants reach between 3 and 4 feet tall at maturity and are typically cultivated as greenhouse or indoor specimens.

Caring for apoballis

Take care when working with these plants and using them indoors, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Apoballis plants are typically purchased as starts from a reputable nursery. The should be planted in an area that receives bright, indirect light in shade. They do not typically do well when exposed to direct sunlight. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apoballis plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistently moist, but not soggy, substrate.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. If plants are not performing well despite appropriate care, they may need to be divided, especially if they are growing in a cramped space or container. For instructions on how to successfully divide Apoballis plants, see the Propagation section below. Apoballis plants can live for several years in the garden before needing to be replaced.

Growing Apoballis Indoors
These plants are most commonly seen growing indoors or in greenhouses as specimens. They are naturally tropical or subtropical plants, requiring consistently warm temperatures and high humidity. They typically live for between 1 and 3 years as indoor houseplants; dividing plants can lengthen their lifespan in these conditions. For instructions on how to successfully divide Apoballis plants, see the propagation section below. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom, and fill with a well-draining substrate. Apoballis plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, they like to get regular waterings, as well, but do not like to have soggy soil. Make sure to empty drainage trays regularly. Prune to remove dead, damaged or diseased foliage during the growing season. These plants will very rarely flower when grown indoors, but flower spikes if they do emerge can be removed after the flowers fade to improve the appearance of plants.

Propagation

Apoballis, or Purple Sword, plants are most commonly propagated via cutting or division. They can be propagated through harvesting and sowing seed, but do not typically flower and set seed when grown indoors.

Propagating Apoballis by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summer, choose a plant for propagation; ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Cut one or more cuttings with a visible node and at least one leaf. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much. Cuttings can alternatively be placed in a clean glass or jar with water and transplanted to soil when roots reach 1-2 inches long.
Moisten the soil with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Apoballis by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Apoballis plants prefer a soil that is coarse and well-draining; an Orchid or Bromeliad potting mix is ideal. Division is best done in early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth). To propagate your Apoballis by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.