There are numerous fun and descriptive names for the devil’s backbone houseplant. In an effort to describe the blooms, devil’s backbone has been called red bird flower, Persian lady slipper, and Japanese poinsettia. Descriptive monikers for the foliage include rick rack plant and Jacob’s ladder. Whatever you call it, learn how to grow the devil’s backbone plant for unique and easy to care for indoor flora.

Devil’s backbone houseplant likes bright indirect sunlight. Plant in direct sun in fall and winter, but give it a little protection from stinging hot rays in spring and summer. Just turning the slats on your blinds can be enough to keep the tips of the leaves from sizzling.

Repot your plant every three to five years or as needed in a rich houseplant mix with plenty of sand mixed in to increase drainage. Use unglazed pots, which allow excess moisture to freely evaporate and prevent wet root damage.

Keep the perlite lightly moist until the stems root. Then repot the new plants in a good houseplant potting soil. Care of devil’s backbone babies is the same as the adult plants.

The scientific name for this plant, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, means foot-shaped flower. The plant is native to the American tropic