How to Grow Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Leycesteria formosa purple rain is a plant that is native to China and Tibet. It is a member of the Lamiaceae, or mint, family. The plant is a shrub that typically grows to be about 3-5 feet tall. The leaves of the plant are ovate to oblong in shape and are a deep green color. The flowers of the plant are a purple color and are borne in clusters. The fruit of the plant is a drupe that is black in color.

How to Grow Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

Himalayan Honeysuckle
Purple Rain
Pheasant Berry
Purple Berried Honeysuckle
Manchurian Wild Honeysuckle

Things to Know

Leycesteria formosa is a shrub that is native to China and Taiwan.
It can grow up to 3 meters tall.
The leaves are elliptical in shape and are dark green in color.
The flowers are purple and they grow in clusters.
The fruit is a blackberry-like drupe.
Leycesteria formosa is also known as the Himalayan honeysuckle.
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world.
It is known to attract bees and butterflies.
It is a fast-growing plant and is considered to be invasive in some parts of the world.
It can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or division.

Related plant:
Leycesteria

Planting Process

For leycesteria formosa purple rain, first step is to grow them in an area with full sun and well-draining soil.
Next, you will need to water them deeply and regularly, especially during the hottest months of the year.
Fertilize your plants every few weeks using a high-quality fertilizer.
In order to encourage bushier growth, you can pinch back the tips of the stems.
Once your plants are established, they will produce small white flowers that will attract bees and other pollinators.
After the flowers fade, they will be replaced by purple berries.
These berries are edible and can be used in pies, jams, and other recipes.
To harvest the berries, simply cut the stems that bear them and bring them inside.
Leycesteria formosa purple rain plants are relatively low-maintenance and disease-resistant. However, they can be susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, and other pests.
If you notice any problems with your plants, be sure to treat them promptly.

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, Leycesteria formosa purple rain grows best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soils, but is content in poorer soils as long as they are not too dry. It does not like chalk. It tolerates part shade but prefers full sun.

Light condition

Like the other Leycesteria plants, Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' prefers full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate most soil types as long as it is well-drained, and is particularly tolerant of chalky soils. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for the growth of Leycesteria formosa purple rain plants is warm weather. These plants are native to parts of Asia that experience warm to hot weather conditions most of the year. They will also grow well in temperate climates as long as they experience at least some periods of warm weather during the year.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. However, it can grow in a range of 30-50%. If the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to brown and curl. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will start to yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this plant needs, is an all-purpose, granular fertilizer that is high in phosphorous and low in nitrogen. The fertilizer should be applied to the root zone in early spring, before new growth begins.

Plant Pruning

Pruning Leycesteria Formosa 'Purple Rain' Leycesteria Formosa 'Purple Rain' is a stunning shrub, with dark purple leaves and delicate white flowers. It's perfect for adding a splash of colour to any garden, and is easy to care for. As with all shrubs, Leycesteria Formosa 'Purple Rain' will benefit from a good prune each year. This will help to keep it healthy and encourage new growth. To prune Leycesteria Formosa 'Purple Rain', simply cut back the stems to just above where new leaves are growing. This should be done in late winter or early spring.

About Propagating

Propagation of Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain is simple and can be done via seed or cuttings. If you are growing from seed, start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow the seeds in moistened potting mix and press them gently into the surface. Cover the seed tray with plastic wrap or a lid to maintain humidity. Keep the soil moist but not wet and place the tray in a warm location. Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to one per pot. When transplanting Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain seedlings into the garden, choose a location in full sun to partial shade. Amend the soil with organic matter before planting and water well. Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain can also be propagated via softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. Again, choose a location in full sun to partial shade and amend the soil with organic matter. Water the soil well before taking your cuttings. Cut 4-6 inch stems from the tips of the Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain plants being sure to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Strip the leaves from the bottom 2/3 of the stem and dip the cut end into rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in moistened potting mix and water well. Cover the pots with plastic wrap or a lid to maintain humidity. Keep the soil moist but not wet and place the pots in a warm location. The cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate in the wild is about 3 feet per year. However, in cultivation, they have been known to grow much faster, up to 10 feet in a single season. This is likely due to the fact that they are not subjected to the same environmental stressors as they are in the wild. When grown in optimal conditions, they can reach their full potential size quite quickly.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are canker, stem dieback, root and stem galls, and viral diseases. These problems can be caused by a number of different factors, including drought, nutrient deficiency, over-watering, and pests. Canker is a common problem for this plant, and can be caused by a number of different fungi. Stem dieback can also be caused by a number of different fungi, and is often the result of drought stress. Root and stem galls can be caused by a number of different bacteria, and are often the result of nutrient deficiencies. Viral diseases can be caused by a number of different viruses, and can often be the result of insect vectors.

List to Know

Remember to give your Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' plant plenty of space to grow. It can reach up to 6 feet (2 meters) in height and width, so make sure to plant it in an area where it will have room to spread out.
Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' plants prefer full sun to partial shade. They will grow best in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' plants are drought tolerant once they are established, but they will need regular watering during the first growing season to help them get established. Water the plant deeply and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Fertilize your Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain' plant once every two weeks during the growing season using a balanced fertilizer.
Prune your Leycesteria formosa 'Pur