How to Grow and Care for Ruscus

Ruscus Care

Ruscus is a fairly low-maintenance plant and establishes easily in the right conditions, which include the following:

• Plant in dry, shady areas of a garden.
• Protect plants from harsh winds
• Use slightly acidic well-draining dry soil but tolerates all types.
• Water deeply in extended drought conditions.
• Cut back to the ground in the spring.

Light

Ruscus thrives in full or partial shade, and because it is drought-tolerant, will do well in your dry shade areas. If it gets too much sun in hot weather, the color may fade.

Soil

This plant is tolerant of many soil types, including clay or alkaline soils. Its preferred soil culture is a well-drained, slightly acidic sandy loam. It does not do well in wet soils as this can cause the roots to rot over time.

Water

Although ruscus is known to be very drought-tolerant, regular doses of rain keep the foliage looking vibrant. If there is a long period of hot dry weather and the foliage begins to fade, deep watering every three days or so will help revive it.

Temperature and Humidity

Ruscus is generally only cold-hardy to zone 6 in the United States. With winter protection and mulch, you may be able to grow ruscus in zone 5. If grown in a place with harsh winters, planting near a structure for wind protection is a good idea. Ruscus enjoys warm temperatures and does fine in humidity.

Types of Ruscus

The Ruscus genus comprises a large genus of similar plants; the seven different species in this genus are:

• • Ruscus asculeatus: This variety is widely known as butcher’s broom, and is native to Eurasia. It tolerates deep shade and is often found growing in woodlands. The flowers are white touched with purple. These evergreen shrubs can grow up to 3 feet tall. This variety is the most common source of cultivars often grown in the United States.
  • Ruscus colchicus: This type of ruscus is native to Caucasus and is found in mountainous regions there.
  • Ruscus hypoglossum: This variety is native to central and southeast Europe and Turkey. It is also known by the common folk names of spineless butcher’s broom, mouse thorn, and horse tongue lily. It grows about 18 inches high and has small yellow flowers. The leaves are flattened and somewhat smoother and less prickly than other varieties.
  • Ruscus hypophyllum: Native to Iberia and northwest Africa, this alternative version of a spineless butcher’s broom is often used in the floral trade as foliage.
  • Ruscus hyrcanus: This variety is native to Crimea, Iran, and Armenia. It has a compact shape and grows to a maximum height of about 20 inches. It is known for its many prickly branches and is considered a somewhat endangered native plant species to be protected in Azerbaijan.

• Ruscus microglossus: This variety is native to southern Europe.
• Ruscus streptophyllus: This variety is native to Madeira.

There are also a few different cultivars available for home gardens. Unless noted, all of these require both male and female plants for pollination and berry production, similar to holly and yew shrubs.

• ‘John Redmond‘: This cultivar has very glossy red berries and is a nice choice for winter interest and attracting songbirds. It has a spreading growth habit.
• ‘Christmas Berry’: As its name suggests, this one produces an impressive display of brightly colored berries that remain through the winter season. It tends to be slower-growing than other varieties.
• ‘Wheeler’s Variety’: This one is hermaphroditic, which means it self-pollinates, can be planted on its own, and will still produce berries.
• ‘Sparkler’: This popular creeping variety is an effective ground cover and produces an abundance of red-orange berries.
• ‘Elizabeth Lawrence’: Also hermaphroditic, this compact variety has erect stems that produce large red berries.

Pruning

Ruscus is a slow-growing, well-shaped perennial that doesn’t require much pruning. Damaged branches or leaves should be trimmed as needed. Cut dead shoots to ground level in spring.

Propagating Ruscus

Ruscus can be propagated by sowing seeds, division, or stem cutting if you’re up for the challenge. Pruning is beneficial for thinning out a bush that might be overgrowing an area; it helps keep the original specimen healthy. You can use healthy pruned stems for stem cuttings. The best time to propagate by a cutting is midsummer to mid-autumn.

Here’s how to divide a ruscus plant, which is a much easier propagation method:

1. Pull the plant out of the pot or ground. Inspect the roots, gently brush away the lingering soil, and untangle the thick, rhizomatous roots.
2. Small baby offshoots that pull away easily from the root bundle usually form alongside the parent. Those are good for starting a new plant. Take that and plant it in a pot with compost-enriched soil.
3. You can divide the root ball into thirds or halves by gently pulling the plant and roots apart. Keep root breakage minimal.
4. Replant the new section in compost-enriched soil.

Here’s how to propagate by a cutting:

1. You’ll need sterilized scissors, a sharp knife or pruning snips, rooting hormone, a clean pot, and compost-enriched potting soil. If you have a glass cloche or dome to give it a greenhouse environment, the plant will have a higher chance of rooting success. You can substitute a clear plastic bag as a cloche alternative.
2. Take a 5-inch cutting from a semi-hardwood stem from the current year’s growth of ruscus. A semi-hardwood stem piece should be hard at the bottom of the stem and soft at the top.
3. Remove the lowest leaves from the cutting. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone. Plant the cut end in the center of the pot with potting soil.
4. Place the plant in a warm spot with partial sun-dappled light is best.

How to Grow Ruscus From Seed

Seeds are harvested from female plants. Ruscus germination is extremely slow; it can take up to 12 months. If you choose to grow ruscus from seed, take these steps:

1. Give the seeds a period of cold stratification before planting in late winter or early spring.
2. Grow the seeds in pots placed in a sunny window or greenhouse.
3. Make sure the seeds receive adequate water. They may also benefit from some soil nutrients every other month.
4. When seedlings appear, grow them in containers for another year before planting them outside.

Common Pests

Ruscus plants are tough and resilient. The only pest problem to watch for is slug damage on young plants. Slugs will leave them alone once they mature and grow a prickly surface.

How to Get Ruscus to Bloom

Bloom Months

The plant bears flowers in late winter and these appear in the middle of the leaf instead of a stem.

What Do Ruscus Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The plant bears unscented flowers in late winter and these appear in the middle of the leaf instead of a stem. The tiny greenish-white flowers are about 116-inch in size. Flower color can also vary, from white to greenish-white to purple to yellow, although in general, the flowers are not showy on this plant, and the red berries are the main source of visual interest.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Water the plant in periods of severe drought but do not let it sit in standing water. Harsh sun and hot weather will also dry out the plant and negatively affect blooms. Otherwise, you won’t have to do much to encourage a ruscus plant to bloom.

Deadheading Ruscus Flowers

Cut back stems with dead flowers on them to the ground in the spring. No other deadheading is required.

Common Issues With Ruscus

Ruscus is easy-going and tough but as with all plants, there are a couple of issues to watch for:

Yellowing Leaves

A ruscus plant with yellowing or shriveled leaves may be overwatered. The plant may also drop leaves if it is overwatered. Continuing to overwater the plant may lead to root rot.

Wilting

A ruscus plant that is wilting is likely underwatered.