Yerba Mate Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing yerba mate.
It does best in full sunlight.
Yerba mate can also cope with partial shade if the temperatures are tropical enough.
Stickpen/Wikimedia Commons
Soil
The yerba mate plant prefers arich, loamy, well-drained soilthat absorbs and retains moisture well.
This is not adrought-tolerant plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Yerba mate likes warmth and humidity, indoors and out.
It can tolerate slightly lower temperatures for short periods.
When winter temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, this could kill a yerba mate plant.
Indoors, the plant prefers humid, moist heat.
However, it can tolerate humidity levels down to around 50 percent.
A yerba mate plant won’t survive in overly dry environments.
Fertilizer
Seedlings will benefit from regular fertilization while they are becoming established.
Regularly prune your indoor yerba mate plant to prevent it from becoming too tall or wide.
Propagating Yerba Mate
It’s easiest to propagate yerba mate fromcuttings.
It’s best to plant seeds quickly after harvesting to prevent them from losing their ability to germinate.
Even with the right timing and conditions, success isn’t guaranteed.
The seeds aren’t readily available in garden centers, either.
The plant will thrive if it is positioned in a sunny spot and kept moist.
Common Pests
Indoors, yerba mate doesn’t face many pest or plant disease problems.
Just be on the lookout for common insects, such asaphidsandspider mites.
Yellowing leaves may indicate the soil is too alkaline or even neutral.
Leaf Drop
The plant may be overwatered.
To confirm this, slip the plant out of the pot to see if the bottom is very wet.
If so, gently dab the plant’s roots with an old towel.
Yerba mate is a relatively rare plant in the United States though it is increasingly available tobuy online.
If you live in tropical conditions, you’re free to try growing yerba mate outdoors.
It can take about a year for a seed to germinate.
Otherwise, enjoy the foliage and blooms.
