Photo: Matthew FainmanCC BY 4.0via PlantoScanresized / cropped
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass Plant Care
Richardia brasiliensis Gomez
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Richardia brasiliensis is a species of flowering plant in the coffee family known by the English common names tropical Mexican clover, Brazilian calla-lily, white-eye, and Brazil pusley. In Brazil it is known as poaia branca.
Bright indirect to low light
At a glance
How do you care for Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Plant Brazilian Arid-lovegrass in bright indirect to low light. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Brazilian Arid-lovegrass Native To?
What Is the Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass (Richardia brasiliensis) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Richardia genus. Brazilian Arid-lovegrass is native to South America. Brazilian Arid-lovegrass is also known as White-flowered Richardia.
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Brazilian Arid-lovegrass produces small white spathes surrounded by green spadix.
What Light Does the Brazilian Arid-lovegrass Need?
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Brazilian Arid-lovegrass in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Rich, well-draining peat-based mix with perlite. Good drainage is essential for Brazilian Arid-lovegrass to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Choose a spot with bright indirect to low light and rich, well-draining peat-based mix with perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Prune Brazilian Arid-lovegrass while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Brazilian Arid-lovegrass in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass can be propagated through division, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to species plantarum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Brazilian Arid-lovegrass Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets
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 Brazilian Arid-lovegrass?
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. 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
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass 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 Richardia genus — compare its care with other Richardia species on PlantoScan.
Richardia is part of the Rubiaceae plant family — browse all Rubiaceae genera and species.
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Richardia brasiliensis Gomez, family Rubiaceae (first published in Mem. Ipecacuanha Bras. : 31 (1801)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Brazilian Arid-lovegrass is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Matthew Fainman, CC BY 4.0, PlantoScan — 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Brazilian Arid-lovegrass Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species