Winter Daphne Daphne odora 'Mae-jima' (v)

Water

Winter Daphne should be watered regularly but with caution, ensuring the soil is moist but never soggy. It generally requires watering once every week, but this can vary depending on climate conditions; in hotter and drier weather, it may need watering twice a week. Supplying about one gallon of water per plant during each watering session should be sufficient, though you should adjust the amount depending on the weather and soil drainage. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering, and reduce water frequency during the winter when the plant is dormant. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's vital to ensure good drainage.

Light

Winter Daphne performs best in a spot with partial shade to filtered sunlight, ideally receiving morning light and afternoon shade. Protect it from the harsh afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates as it may scorch the leaves and stress the plant. The dappled light under a canopy of taller trees or on the east side of a building is ideal to protect Winter Daphne from intense direct sunlight.

Temperature

Winter Daphne thrives in a temperature range between 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. It's able to tolerate temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but should be shielded from severe frost and freezing conditions. Consistently moderate temperatures without extreme fluctuations are ideal for the healthy growth of Winter Daphne.

Pruning

Winter Daphne requires minimal pruning, primarily to maintain shape or to remove damaged and diseased branches. Prune right after the plant finishes blooming in late spring to avoid cutting off next year's flower buds. Annually removing a few of the oldest stems can encourage healthy new growth. Extensive pruning is generally not needed and can be detrimental to the plant.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Winter daphne prefers well-draining soil with a rich mix of organic matter. A good recipe would be a mix of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure proper drainage. The ideal soil pH for winter daphne should be slightly acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Winter daphne typically requires repotting every two to three years to ensure it does not become root-bound. It's best to repot in the spring before the new growth starts, taking care not to damage the sensitive roots.

Humidity & Misting

Winter daphne thrives in moderate humidity levels. Consistent humidity, not too dry or overly humid, is ideal. Aim for a humidity level of 50-60% for optimal growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright, indirect light and keep soil moist but not wet.

• Outdoor

  Plant in part shade, shelter from harsh winds, well-draining soil.

• Hardiness zone

  7-9 USDA

Life cycle

Daphne odora 'Mae-jima', more commonly known as variegated winter daphne, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in favorable conditions, develops into a seedling. As the seedling matures, it forms a woody shrub with a rounded habit and variegated leaves, which are green with creamy white margins. The plant then enters a vegetative stage, where it focuses on leaf and stem growth until it reaches maturity. Upon maturity, during late winter to early spring, it produces fragrant, purple-pink to white flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, small red fruit may develop, containing seeds that complete the cycle if they fall to the ground and germinate. Daphne odora 'Mae-jima' is an evergreen, thus it maintains its foliage year-round, though it may enter a period of dormancy during very cold weather.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early spring

• The most popular method of propagation for Daphne odora 'Mae-jima', commonly known as winter daphne, is semi-hardwood cuttings. This process typically occurs during the late summer. To propagate, one should select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (about 10 to 15 cm) section, ensuring that several leaf nodes are included. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The cutting should be planted in a pot with well-draining soil and kept in a humid environment with indirect sunlight until roots have established and new growth is apparent. This can take several weeks to a few months depending on the conditions.