All flowers
Coral Bead Plant Wikimedia Commons
Rubiaceae

Coral Bead Plant

Nertera granadensis

Small joys and treasures.

Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Nertera
Native to
Central America, South America, New Zealand, Southeast Asia
Bloom season
Spring
Type
perennial ground cover
Height
0.1-0.25 ft
Sunlight
part shade
Soil
moist, peaty, well-drained soil
Water
moderate to high
Hardiness
9-11
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The tiny white flowers are inconspicuous, but the brilliant orange berries that follow are so abundant they can completely hide the foliage.
  • Coral bead plant has a remarkably disjunct distribution, found natively from Mexico to Patagonia and in New Zealand.
  • The genus name Nertera comes from the Greek 'nerteros' meaning 'lowly,' referring to its ground-hugging growth habit.
  • It is a member of the coffee family (Rubiaceae), making it a distant relative of gardenias and coffee plants.
  • The berries persist for several months through autumn and winter, providing a long season of ornamental interest.

Color meanings

0

happiness in small things

1

abundance

Uses

  • terrarium plant
  • indoor ornamental