Jewel plant (Bertolonia maculata)
The striking Jewel plant (Bertolonia maculata) is a tropical perennial famed for its olive-green, velvety leaves highlighted with silver striping.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Jewel plant, scientifically known as Bertolonia maculata, is a highly sought-after tropical evergreen perennial prized primarily for its spectacular foliage rather than its blooms. It typically remains a very low-growing specimen, rarely exceeding six inches in height, making it perfect for close inspection in specialized displays. Native to the rain forests of northeastern Brazil, this plant brings an exotic, velvety texture to any collection.
What sets Bertolonia maculata apart are its olive-green leaves, which often display striking, light-green or silvery-green markings running down the center. These distinctive leaves, covered in bright, bristly hairs, capture light beautifully, justifying its common name, the Jewel plant. While the foliage provides continuous interest, it also offers clusters of delicate rose-pink flowers several times throughout the growing year.
Because of its specific tropical requirements, the Jewel plant thrives best when protected from adverse conditions. It requires consistently high heat and humidity, and gardeners must strictly avoid any frost or temperatures dipping below 60°F. For most gardeners outside of the tropics, this means cultivating Bertolonia maculata indoors or within a controlled greenhouse environment where its specialized needs can be met perfectly.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Melastomataceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Brazil
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 11-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
- Bloom Description: Rose-pink
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The key to successfully growing Bertolonia maculata lies in replicating its rainforest environment. Plant this tropical herbaceous perennial in locations that provide part shade; direct, harsh afternoon sun will scorch its delicate leaves and destroy the velvety texture. The soil must be continuously moist, rich in humus, and exceptionally well-drained to prevent root rot, a common issue in overly wet conditions.
Watering should be consistent to maintain medium moisture levels, but never soggy. In a tropical setting, high humidity is crucial; indoor growers should use pebble trays or humidifiers to keep the air moist. Since the Jewel plant is intolerant of cold, ensure it is kept in an environment consistently above 60°F, making it completely unsuitable for outdoor garden beds in most inhabited regions.
Maintenance for this small perennial involves keeping the foliage clean and monitoring soil moisture levels closely. Pruning is minimal, usually involving removing spent flower stalks to redirect energy back into leaf production. Because Bertolonia maculata is winter hardy only to Zone 11, any cultivation outside of those hot, humid zones demands year-round protection.
Landscape Uses
Outside of its native tropical range, the most practical application for the Jewel plant is within specialized environments. The recommended use is almost exclusively within greenhouses where temperature, humidity, and filtered light can be precisely managed for this sensitive herbaceous perennial. This protected growing environment allows the striking foliage to develop without interruption from external stressors.
When planted in suitable greenhouse benches or containers, the subtle size of Bertolonia maculata (up to half a foot tall) makes it an ideal foreground or edging plant. Consider planting it alongside other tropical understory plants that appreciate similar high-humidity conditions, such as various filmy ferns or similar moisture-loving Gesneriads. The low height ensures that the brilliant foliage remains the focal point of any close-up display arrangement.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Bertolonia maculata, commonly known as the Jewel plant, is a tropical evergreen perennial that typically grows to only 6” tall. It is particularly noted for its showy, olive green leaves (to 3” long) suffused with lighter green and marked with silvery-green along the center in a continuous or broken stripe. Leaves have bright bristly hairs, and clusters of rose-pink flowers appear several times per year.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
The Jewel plant generally experiences no serious insect or disease problems when environmental conditions are met correctly. The primary threats stem from grower error related to temperature and moisture management. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely and ensure excellent aeration to prevent fungal issues associated with overly saturated soil.
If the plant is exposed to temperatures below 60 degrees F, it will quickly show signs of distress, as Bertolonia maculata is totally intolerant to frost. Maintaining the required high heat and humidity is the most effective preventative measure against cultural stress, ensuring vibrant olive and silver foliage remains intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Jewel plant suitable for?
The Jewel plant is only winter hardy in the warmest zones, thriving reliably between USDA Zones 11 and 12.
How large does Bertolonia maculata grow?
This small perennial typically reaches a modest height between 0.25 and 0.5 feet, with a similar spread, making it a very compact grower.
What sun exposure does Bertolonia maculata need?
This foliage plant requires part shade; bright, direct sunlight should be avoided to protect the sensitive leaves of the Jewel plant.
When does Bertolonia maculata bloom?
It is classified as a seasonal bloomer, typically displaying clusters of attractive rose-pink flowers several times throughout the warm growing season.
Conclusion
The Bertolonia maculata, or Jewel plant, offers unparalleled textural interest through its striking, silver-striped foliage, making it a treasured specimen for tropical collections. Its low profile and unique coloring fill a distinct niche in conservatory or greenhouse settings. Before acquiring this plant, confirm your ability to maintain consistently warm (above 60°F) and humid conditions appropriate for this beautiful Brazilian native.
Companion Planting
When designing a space for Bertolonia maculata, focus on companions that share its love for high humidity, part shade, and consistently moist, humusy soil. Plants known for their lush, tropical understory appearance will complement the Jewel plant’s low stature beautifully. Consider grouping it with various small, shade-loving ferns or members of the Gesneriad family, provided those species also require medium water and do not impose root competition on the small root ball of the Jewel plant.
Avoid placing this plant near robust, fast-growing groundcovers that might shade it excessively or aggressively draw moisture away from the soil where the delicate Bertolonia maculata resides. The goal is to create a microclimate where the air remains saturated, mitigating the risk of leaf crisping common when tropical plants are grown in dry indoor air.
Seasonal Care Calendar
During the peak growing months in spring and summer, focus heavily on maintaining consistent moisture and warmth. This is when you will observe the rose-pink blooms appearing several times throughout the season; ensure good feeding with a balanced, diluted fertilizer weekly to support this continuous growth cycle. As temperatures begin to drop toward autumn, be exceptionally vigilant.
As winter approaches or if the plant is moved indoors, ensure the temperature never dips near the critical 60°F threshold. During winter dormancy (if slight slowing occurs), slightly reduce high-volume watering, but never allow the soil to dry out completely because the Jewel plant remains evergreen and requires constant hydration. Spring cleanup involves only removing any older, tired foliage to encourage fresh leaf emergence.
