Coral Bead Plant Plant Care
Nertera villosa B.H.Macmill. & R.Mason
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nertera villosa, the hairy forest nertera, is a species of flowering plant, endemic to New Zealand.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Coral Bead Plant?
Water Coral Bead Plant every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Coral Bead Plant Native To?
What Is the Coral Bead Plant?
Coral Bead Plant (Nertera villosa) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Nertera genus. Coral Bead Plant is native to New Zealand. Coral Bead Plant is also known as Bead Plant.
Coral Bead Plant displays a low mat-forming ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 0.5 ft. Coral Bead Plant produces tiny white or red flowers followed by bright orange berries.
Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Coral Bead Plant?
Nertera villosa requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Coral Bead Plant Need?
Coral Bead Plant thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Coral Bead Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Coral Bead Plant Prefer?
Nertera villosa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Coral Bead Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Coral Bead Plant?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Coral Bead Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Coral Bead Plant?
Feed Coral Bead Plant every 6 months 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 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Coral Bead Plant?
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 Coral Bead Plant?
Coral Bead Plant can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coral bead plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Coral Bead Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Coral Bead Plant, 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 Coral Bead Plant?
Coral Bead Plant is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Coral Bead Plant Need?
Coral Bead Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Coral Bead Plant is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Coral Bead Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Coral Bead Plant 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 Nertera genus — compare its care with other Nertera species on PlantoScan.
Nertera is part of the Rubiaceae plant family — browse all Rubiaceae genera and species.
Coral Bead Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nertera villosa B.H.Macmill. & R.Mason, family Rubiaceae (first published in New Zealand J. Bot. 33: 435 (1995 publ. 1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Coral Bead Plant, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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