Phyllanthus Mirabilis

Phyllanthus mirabilis is a rare caudiciform shrub from Southeast Asia, loved by collectors for its swollen woody base and “butterfly” leaves that fold together at night.

Key features

• Develops a thick caudex with a textured, papery surface that stores water and gives a bonsai‑like look in pots.

• Produces graceful, pinnate leaves whose leaflets close along the midrib at dusk, a nyctinastic “sleep” movement that makes the plant look like a resting butterfly.

Habitat and growth

• Native to limestone and rocky regions of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, where it grows in crevices on karst hills and cliffs.

• Adapted to climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, making it deciduous: it drops its leaves in the dry or cool season and resprouts when conditions improve.

Basic care tips

• Light: Bright, high‑intensity indirect light; provide some shade in very hot summers to prevent leaf scorch.

• Water: During the growing season, water thoroughly when the mix dries; keep much drier in dormancy to avoid caudex rot.

• Soil: Use a very well‑draining, mineral‑rich mix (around 60% inorganic such as pumice or perlite, 40% organic) in a pot with good drainage.