how to care for icanthus,cant seem to find it anywhere ive been told its leaves are found wrapped round colosseums
I was given some once - if it is what I think it is "bear's breach". It is supposed to like damp and will grow in shade and I think it would have but mine unfortunately drowned. Big plant.
I've never known it to need any care whatsoever - a great plant, and yes, very nice leaves, much favoured by Ancient Greek Architects (don't know what the young ones used - vine leaves?? :D )
Be aware, it propagates from root cuttings. That means that every time you get fed up with it and dig it out - it comes back. I've got mine in a couple of pots. I already have a flower stem on one. It can get powdery mildew. That white covering that plants get. It is not fatal but weakens the plant and looks unsightly. Mildew is a fungus in the air, which is largely specific to one particular type of plant. So one type of plant will not necesarily catch it from another type. The best treatment is prevention. Allow plenty of air to circulate. Also keep it watered - stressed plants are much more likely to suffer.
