How to Grow and Care for Leather Plant

The leather plant, known botanically as Coccoloba uvifera, is more commonly called the sea grape. Native to the tropical coastlines of the Americas, this plant features large, round, and leathery leaves that reach up to 10 inches in length. These leaves have prominent, often reddish veins against a deep green surface. When exposed to bright sun, mature leaves can take on a reddish hue before falling, while new growth often emerges in a bronze color.

Leather Plant Care

Light

To thrive indoors, the leather plant requires bright light, needing about six to eight hours of direct sun daily. Placing it near a south-facing window is ideal, though an east or west-facing window can also provide sufficient light. While it performs best in full sun, it can tolerate partial shade. Insufficient natural light may result in less robust growth.

Soil

This plant prefers a well-draining, sandy or loamy soil mix. Its natural habitat along sandy coastlines means it is adapted to soils that do not retain excess water. A commercial potting mix amended with sand or perlite to improve drainage is a suitable choice. Adding organic matter like compost can also improve the soil’s structure and nutrient content.

Water

The leather plant is drought-tolerant once established, but its watering needs in a container are more consistent. Water the plant thoroughly, then permit the soil to dry out before the next watering. During the primary growing season of spring and summer, regular watering supports fuller growth. In the winter, you can reduce the frequency of watering as the plant’s growth slows.

Temperature and Humidity

The leather plant flourishes in warm and humid conditions, preferring an average temperature around 77°F (25°C) and high humidity of about 80%. Mirroring its native tropical environment is beneficial. Young plants are sensitive to the cold and can be damaged or killed by frost. If grown in a container outdoors, it should be brought inside when temperatures drop near 40-45°F (4-7°C).

Fertilizer

During the active growing season in spring and summer, the leather plant benefits from regular feeding. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 formula, can be applied to encourage healthy development. Fertilizing every few months during this period is sufficient. In soil with low nutrient levels, a slow-release fertilizer can also be effective.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is a useful practice for managing the leather plant’s size and shape, especially when grown indoors. Left unpruned, it has a tendency to sprawl and can develop a multi-stemmed, vase-like form. Hand-pruning is recommended over shearing due to the large size of the leaves. You can prune the plant in late summer to maintain a desired shape or at the end of spring to control its size.

To encourage a bushier appearance, you can trim the tips of the branches. Removing any dead, weak, or damaged branches can be done at any time and helps maintain the plant’s health. For those wanting to train the plant into a single-trunk tree form, any suckers or secondary trunks should be pruned off at the base. This type of structural pruning is best done while the plant is young.

Repotting is needed every two to three years, or when you notice the roots protruding from the pot’s drainage holes. When repotting, select a new container that is slightly larger than the current one. Carefully remove the plant, prune about one-fourth of the outer and bottom root mass, and place it in the new pot with fresh, well-draining soil.

How to Propagate Leather Plant

The leather plant can be propagated from stem cuttings, which is often faster than growing from seed. The best time to take cuttings is at the beginning of spring. Select a healthy branch and sever a cutting that is about 10 to 12 inches long. Prepare the cutting by removing the lower leaves to expose the nodes.

Plant the cutting in a well-draining, moist medium, such as a combination of peat moss, potting mix, and sand. Keep the soil consistently moist and place the cutting in a warm, sunny location. Once roots develop and the new plant is about six inches tall, it can be transferred to a larger pot.

Common Problems

The leather plant is resistant to many pests and diseases. However, it can be affected by common indoor plant pests such as spider mites and scale insects. Signs of these pests include yellowing leaves or small, cotton-like masses on the foliage. An infestation can be managed by treating the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Another potential issue is the seagrape borer, a moth that can bore into twigs and branches, causing them to die back. While this damage is minor, affected branches should be pruned off to manage the problem. You might also notice nipple galls, which appear as raised red bumps on the leaf surfaces; these are also a minor concern.