Introduction to Tridax Procumbens
Tridax procumbens, also known as Tridax daisy or coat buttons, is a popular flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Native to tropical Americas, tridax procumbens is now widely naturalized across the world in tropical and subtropical regions.
With its attractive yellow flowers and dark green leaves, tridax makes an excellent choice for gardens, borders, and containers. This tridax daisy is also commonly grown for its medicinal properties and uses in traditional medicine.
Read on to learn all about how to grow and care for this versatile plant.
Common Names of Tridax Procumbens
This plant is known by many common names across different regions, like:
- Bisalyakarani leaf
- Coat buttons
- Dagadi pala
- Gaddi chamanthi flower
- Ghamra leaf
- Herbal tridax
- Tridax
- Tridax daisy
- Tridax weed
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Description and Characteristics
Tridax procumbens is a low-growing, creeping perennial herb that roots at nodes as it spreads along the ground. Mature plants reach a height of around 1 to 2 feet.
The leaves are roughly 4 to 6 inches long, serrated, and elliptical or lance-shaped. The tridax procumbens leaves have prominent veins on the underside.
Solitary yellow flower heads with a diameter of 1 to 1.5 inches bloom throughout summer and fall. The center of the daisy-like flowers is made up of dense yellow discs, while the outer petals are bright yellow. As the flowers mature, they produce seeds with a ring of feathered bristles that resemble coat buttons – hence the common name.
This plant is considered an invasive weed in some areas but it also has a long history of medicinal usage.
Classification of Tridax Procumbens
The tridax procumbens order is:
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Tridax Species: Tridax procumbens
So it belongs to the daisy and sunflower family of flowering plants.
Uses and Benefits
Tridax procumbens medicinal uses are highly regarded in traditional Indian, Chinese, and Brazilian medicine. Practitioners use parts of the tridax plant for its:
- Antioxidant properties
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Antimicrobial and antifungal abilities
- Hepatoprotective activity
- Wound healing benefits
The tridax procumbens leaf extract is commonly used to make medicinal decoctions. And the plant is eaten as a vegetable in some regions.
Apart from medicinal applications, this plant also works well as:
- An ornamental bedding plant
- Ground cover
- Bioindicator of heavy metal pollution
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Growing Conditions for Tridax Procumbens
Tridax procumbens care is fairly simple since these plants thrive in the wild with minimal intervention. Here are the optimal growing conditions to ensure healthy specimens:
Soil
Tridax grows well in most soil types but nutrient-rich, well-draining soil is ideal. Mix in some compost or organic matter to improve moisture retention and fertility.
The plant can adapt to different pH levels. But best growth occurs in slightly acidic to neutral soil, around pH 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight
Tridax procumbens sunlight: This sun-loving plant thrives best in full sun exposure (minimum 6 hours daily sunlight). It can tolerate partial shade but may get leggy with less sunlight.
Water
Tridax daisies are quite drought-tolerant once established. However, consistent watering is needed for faster growth.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Soak the soil thoroughly whenever you water and then allow excess moisture to drain out well.
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How to Propagate Tridax Procumbens
Propagating new tridax procumbens plants is super easy using either seeds or stem cuttings.
Propagating from Seeds
It’s simplest to grow tridax procumbens from seeds. Seeds germinate readily without any special treatment needed.
Sow the small seeds onto moist potting mix, about 1⁄8 inch deep. Gently water and maintain evenly moist soil, not too wet or soggy.
Germination occurs readily within 1 to 2 weeks at temperatures around 70°F (21°C). Once seedlings emerge, move them into individual containers.
Propagating from Cuttings
Take 4 to 6 inch long stem cuttings that include a couple leaf nodes. Remove lower leaves and place the cut end into moist soil or water.
Roots form easily even without rooting hormone. Plant the new tridax procumbens cuttings into pots once rooted. Keep the soil evenly moist until established.
Caring for Tridax Procumbens Plants
Once your tridax plants are settled in, here are some care tips:
Watering Tridax
Water tridax whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Avoid soggy soil and allow excess moisture to drain out after watering. Drought tolerance increases in mature plants.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every couple weeks during the active growing season. This encourages faster growth and abundant flowering.
Pruning
No regular pruning needed. Simply pinch off spent flowers to encourage further blooming. Prune occasionally for shape or to control spread.
Pests and Diseases
Tridax procumbens pests like aphids and spider mites may sometimes be a nuisance. Look out for fungal issues in wet conditions.
Practice good garden sanitation and use organic treatments as needed. Neem oil works well. Tridax plants generally resist most problems when grown under optimal conditions with decent airflow.
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Tips for Growing Healthy Tridax Procumbens
Here are some useful care tips:
- Select a site with full sun for best growth and flowering
- Amend planting beds with compost or organic matter
- Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart for good air circulation
- Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry
- Apply general purpose fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks
- Prune back overgrown or damaged stems
- Propagate new plants from seeds or cuttings
- Grow tridax as an annual or bring indoors over winter in cold climates
Conclusion
With its vibrant yellow blooms and easy maintenance, the Tridax procumbens plant can make an excellent addition to gardens. Follow the growing and care guidelines provided to have your tridax thrive with minimal effort.
Growing this cheerful plant also provides the satisfaction of raising your own medicinal or ornamental specimens. Enjoy watching the bright blossoms open their petals to greet each sunny morning!
FAQs about Tridax Procumbens Care
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about successfully growing tridax:
What is the best soil for tridax procumbens?
Tridax grows well in slightly acidic to neutral soil, around pH 6.0 to 7.0. Loamy soil amended with organic matter provides ideal drainage and fertility.
How much sun does tridax procumbens need?
Tridax thrives best with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Greater sunlight encourages fuller, bushier growth and abundant daisy flowers on this sun-worshipping plant.
Should I prune my tridax procumbens?
Occasional pruning isn’t mandatory but helps manage size and shape. Pinch or snip off spent flower heads to promote more blooms. You can also prune overgrown or damaged stems. Avoid heavy shearing.
pest and disease on tridax procumbens?
Check regularly for aphids, spider mites or caterpillars. Remove by hand or use organic insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat infestations without harming beneficial insects. Practice good garden sanitation habits.
What is the hardiness zone for tridax procumbens?
Tridax can be grown year-round as a perennial in USDA Zones 9 to 11. Elsewhere, it grows well as an annual or bring potted plants indoors over winter if temperatures drop below 40°F.
References
[1] K. Gadekar, A. Auti, P. Kuvalekar, “Tridax procumbens Linn.: A weed with tremendous medicinal importance”, Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2020. https://phytojournal.com/archives/2020/vol9issue5/PartT/10-4-695-202.pdf
[2] P. K. Mukherjee, et al, “The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea—From traditional use to scientific assessment”, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 120, Issue 3, 2008, Pages 291-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.09.009.
[3] USDA ARS, “Tridax procumbens”, National Plant Germplasm System. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?417723