There have only ever been two plants that I had my photo taken with during my years of being obsessed with plants. The first was a Stewartia pseudocamellia in the fall of 1994 at Longwood Gardens. This was by accident as I was taking a picture of a gorgeous tree with its exfoliating bark and red fall color when a bystander insisted that I get my photograph taken with the tree.
This was in the days of film cameras so somewhere in a shoebox is a picture of me in front of that Stewartia.
Gunnera manicata, also known as the dinosaur food plant, giant rhubarb, or Chilean rhubarb, is a very unique and eye-catching plant known for its massive leaves that can grow up to 6-8 feet wide! This tropical-looking plant is a showstopper in any garden, but can be hard to find for sale. In this article, we’ll look at where to find gunnera manicata plants for sale and how to care for them once you get them home.
Where to Find Gunnera Manicata Plants for Sale
While not the most common houseplant, it is possible to find gunnera manicata for sale from some specialty nurseries and websites:
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Specialty nurseries – Check with local nurseries in your area that carry more exotic or tropical plants. Gunnera manicata is still somewhat rare, but a knowledgeable nursery may be able to special order it for you.
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Online stores – Several online plant stores sell gunnera manicata, often as small starter plants or seeds. Burnt Ridge Nursery, for example, sells both young gunnera plants and seeds that can be shipped.
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Auction sites – You may also have luck finding gunnera manicata on auction sites like eBay. Here you can often find more mature plants for sale from private sellers. Just be sure to check the plant’s condition before purchasing.
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Plant swaps – Connect with other local plant enthusiasts through plant swaps, societies, or social media groups. Someone may have a gunnera plant they’d be willing to divide and share cuttings from.
What to Look for When Buying
When shopping for a gunnera manicata plant look for
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Healthy roots – Look for white firm roots without signs of rotting. Soft, brown roots indicate a stressed plant.
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Established crown – Mature plants should have a large crown at the base where new growth emerges.
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Good leaf growth – Leaves should be green and vigorous for the plant’s size. Avoid plants with yellowing or wilting leaves.
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Moist soil – Make sure the plant is kept moist not bone dry. Dried out plants will be slow to establish.
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Juvenile plants – If buying seeds or a small starter plant, be prepared for a long growth period. It can take 3-5 years to reach maturity.
Caring for Gunnera Manicata Plants
Caring for these monster plants takes some work, but the payoff of huge tropical leaves is worth it! Here are some growing tips:
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Site – Give gunnera manicata a site with full sun to part shade and a constant source of moisture. Plants need consistent damp soil.
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Soil – Rich, moist soil is ideal. Amend clay soils with compost or peat to improve drainage. Soil should never fully dry out.
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Water – Supply abundant water in dry periods, allowing the soil to stay consistently damp. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant, but will decline if soils get too dry.
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Fertilizer – Heavy feeding is needed, especially with nitrogen. Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
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Winter care – Plants die back in winter once temperatures drop below freezing. Cut back dead leaves and stems and mulch well over the crown.
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Zones – Gunnera manicata thrives in zones 7-10 and as a container plant where it can be overwintered indoors. It struggles in cooler climates.
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Pests – Slugs and snails will munch on leaves. Remove these by hand or use organic slug bait.
With the right growing conditions and care, gunnera manicata is a bold, exotic addition the garden. Just be sure to give it the warm, wet environment it needs! Let those massive dinosaur leaves unfurl in your own landscape with one of these incredible plants.
The Legend of Gunnera – The Holy Grail of Big leaved Perennials
Everyone has to get a photo next to the Gunnera giant plant!
(To the right – Rodney and Mature Giant Gunnera that is easily 10-12 feet tall with deeply lobed leaves)
The Gunnera Pose
How can you help yourself?
The second plant I have actually had my picture taken in front of twice. In 2008, I was on a trip to England when our group visited the fantastic gardens at Great Dixter. Near the back of the gardens, past the nursery, and beside the rill, was a gigantic Gunnera.
You know Gunnera, right? That big leaved plant that seems to thrive in most parts of the world except for the east coast of the United States.
There it was, the same plant that I had seen in so many different magazines and books. It always seems that someone is always standing in front of the leaves for a size comparison in the pictures. The leaves had to be at least 5 feet across and the entire clump was about 8 feet tall and 12 feet across.
I instinctively asked one of my travel companions to take my picture in front of the plant. That, I thought, would be my first and last live encounter with the plant.
Lo and behold, the following year I had the good fortune to travel to France and see many gardens in and around Paris. One garden we visited was off the beaten path in Normandy.
I was not expecting a lot as it was a municipal site but once we got in, it blew me away. Around one corner, there was the largest Gunnera that I had ever seen in my life.
This plant was easily 12 feet tall and 15 feet across. The leaves were enormous. Since none of my friends were nearby, I ran around until I found one and asked that they take my picture in front of the plant.
Probably Gunnera manicata next to a pond in a garden in Newport on Tay, England. by
The GIANT Of The Garden #gunnera #giantrhubarb
FAQ
Can I still buy Gunnera?
Small gunneras, such as Gunnera magellanica and Gunnera perpensa, are not banned and are still legal to buy and grow in gardens.
Does Gunnera manicata spread?
Although this species is not listed as invasive in the UK, Gunnera manicata, is still a non-native plant with a rapid growth habit and the ability to spread many viable seeds.
What is the difference between Gunnera tinctoria and manicata?
Gunnera tinctoria (Chilean rhubarb or giant rhubarb) and Gunnera manicata (Brazilian giant rhubarb) are both large, impressive perennial plants, but they have distinct differences in leaf shape, petiole characteristics, inflorescence, and habitat. G. tinctoria has more rounded, deeply lobed leaves with jagged margins, while G. manicata has broader, flatter leaves with more rounded lobes. The petioles of G. manicata are also more prickly and rough than those of G. tinctoria. Furthermore, G. tinctoria’s inflorescence is compact, firm, and reddish, whereas G. manicata’s is looser, larger, and greenish.
Is Gunnera manicata a perennial?
Gunnera manicata, commonly called giant rhubarb, is one of the largest herbaceous perennials on earth, typically growing in a rounded clump to as much as 10′ tall and to 14′ wide. It is native to southern Brazil and Columbia.
How big do Gunnera manicata plants get?
Gunnera Manicata Plants – Live potted Dinosaur Food Plants- Huge 6-8 ft leaves.Available to ship now. Grows in USDA Zones 7-10.
How to grow Gunnera manicata?
The soil should be very moist. In the growing season, Gunnera manicata requires a lot of water. In fact, the soil must remain moist at all times. This is the reason why, the best place to plant a Gunnera plant is along the edge of a stream or a pond. Plant it right after the last frost in spring.
Is Gunnera manicata safe to eat?
Despite being called ‘giant rhubarb’, Gunnera manicata is not edible. The plant has thousands of tiny spikes on the underside of its giant leaf and down its stalk. In the jungle, the tropical plant’s leaves often overlap to form huge canopies used to shelter from rain.
What is Gunnera manicata?
Gunnera manicata, also known as Giant Rhubarb or Dinosaur Food, is one of the biggest and most spectacular, architectural, herbaceous plants. Thought to be around 150 million years old, it is famous for its gigantic, deeply lobed, deep green leaves that grow up to 2 metres (6ft) across.
Is Gunnera similar to rhubarb?
Gunnera is native to Southern Chile and is a large plant with edible stalks that taste similar to rhubarb. The leaves of the Gunnera plant can grow as tall as a person and as wide as a small car. Gunnera is suitable for planting in zones 7-10.
Can Gunnera plants be eaten?
Gunnera plants are native to Southern Chile and are deciduous, meaning they will die back to the ground in the winter and come back in the spring. The stalks of Gunnera plants are edible and have a taste similar to rhubarb. Gunnera can tolerate both sunny and shaded conditions. It is a huge plant with gigantic leaves as tall as a person and wide as a small car.