Photo: T R Shankar RamanCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Murdannia Plant Care
Murdannia semiteres (Dalzell) Santapau
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Murdannia semiteres is a striking plant known for its vibrant green leaves with unique purple undersides, making it a standout in any collection. Originating from Southeast Asia, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its eye-catching appearance and easy care requirements.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Murdannia?
Water Murdannia every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Murdannia Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- India
- Iran
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Murdannia?
Murdannia (Murdannia semiteres) belongs to the Commelinaceae family within the Murdannia genus. Murdannia is native to east-central Africa, Yemen, Iran, India, and Vietnam.
Murdannia displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Murdannia produces small, delicate blue or purple flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Murdannia?
Murdannia semiteres requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Murdannia Need?
Murdannia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Murdannia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Murdannia Prefer?
Murdannia semiteres grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Murdannia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Murdannia?
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Murdannia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Murdannia?
Feed Murdannia every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Murdannia?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Murdannia?
Murdannia can be propagated through division, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to orange asiatic dayflower plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Murdannia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Murdannia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Murdannia?
Murdannia is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Murdannia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Murdannia genus — compare its care with other Murdannia species on PlantoScan.
Murdannia is part of the Commelinaceae plant family — browse all Commelinaceae genera and species.
Murdannia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Murdannia Species
Other Murdannia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Murdannia semiteres (Dalzell) Santapau, family Commelinaceae (first published in Poona Agric. Coll. Mag. 41(4): 15 (1951)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Murdannia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: T R Shankar Raman, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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