Blue Gem

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Lepidothamnus laxifolius 'Blue Gem'

Genus

Lepidothamnus

Family

Podocarpaceae

Order

Pinales

How to care for Blue Gem

💦 Water

How often to water your Blue Gem

Blue Gem needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Blue Gem in your home

Blue Gem can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Blue Gem in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Blue Gem

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Blue Gem: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Blue Gem after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Blue Gem prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Blue Gem Water Frequency →

Blue Gem Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Blue Gem can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Blue Gem Light Requirements →

Blue Gem Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Blue Gem is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Blue Gem Edible? →

Blue Gem Toxicity to Cats →

Blue Gem Toxicity to Dogs →

Blue Gem Toxicity to Humans →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Blue Gem can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Blue Gem Temperature Tolerance →

Blue Gem Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Blue Gem →

When to Plant Blue Gem →

How to Plant Blue Gem →

Where to Plant Blue Gem →

Winter Care for Blue Gem →

Best Companion Plants for Blue Gem →

Is Blue Gem a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Blue Gem, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.