In Hawaiʻi the snow bush is a perennial, ornamental shrub that tolerates partial shade, but not drought or salty soils.
Although the snow bush does have little white flowers and red berries, it is a plant that is grown for its red, white and green foliage. It is great used as a hedge plant or to add accents of color in your landscape. The plant’s zig-zagging stems are pink to red, adding to the colorful display. And the stems can even be trained to trellis over walls etc.
You can propagate it using root suckers or stem cuttings. Evidence exists that woody, semi-woody and soft wood cuttings will all work. Some people suggest to make sure the cutting has a good heel. One method for rooting the snow bush cuttings is to put them in a plastic cup with moist vermiculite and then cover with a humidity bag. Yet, others report excellent rooting with just sticking the cutting in the soil and keeping the soil moist.
More info:
- Scientific name: Breynia disticha
Pronunciation: BRAY-nee-uh DISS-stick-uh
Common name(s): Snowbush - Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Plant type: shrub
- USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round - Origin: not native to North America
- Uses: specimen; superior hedge; suitable for growing indoors; border; foundation; mass planting; cascading down a wall Availablity: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
- Height: 5 to 8 feet
- Spread: 4 to 7 feet Plant habit: round
- Plant density: moderate
- Growth rate: moderate
Resources:
- https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/bredisa.pdf
- Read more at Gardening Know How: What Is A Snow Bush – Snow Bush Plant Care And Growing Conditions https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/snow-bush/what-is-a-snow-bush.htm
