Description

General aspect and origins - Homalocladium platycladum is also known as ribbon bush or tapeworm plant. This plant from the Polygonaceae familly has ornamental flattened stems that look like ribbons. When grown indoors, this plant will reach up to 3 ft (90 cm) tall and 2 ft (60 cm) wide.
Leaves - Leaves are evergreen, alternate, lanceolate, 1-2.5 in (2.5-6 cm) long. They are short-lived, and some plants are even leafless. Stems are flattened and ribbon-shaped.
Flowers - This plant has small green-white flowers that appear in group in spring.

Culture

This plant should be grown outdoors in USDA zones 10a and warmer. It has sometimes been reported withstanding zones 9b frosts, it thus may be tried in this latter zone with some protection. Elsewhere, it should be grown under glass or indoors.
Soil - The soil should be well-drained and kept moist. Best grown in partial shade.

Propagation

This plant is propagated by stem cuttings or by seeds.