Sugarstick

Sugarstick plants require weekly waterings during the growing season. Regular watering is crucial for sugarstick plants—too much water can lead to root rot. It is important to provide the soil with enough water that it is moist but not wet. To water sugarstick plants effectively, apply 1 to 2 inches of water once per week. When watering, try to do so slowly and evenly to avoid runoff or pooling. If the soil is consistently dry beyond a couple of inches, then an extra watering may be required. During winter, water sugarstick plants less often, just enough to keep the soil barely damp.

Sugarstick is a plant species that needs moderate amounts of sunlight to survive and thrive. It should receive around 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, approximately 1 to 3 hours in the early morning or late afternoon, and the rest of the sunlight should be spread between the middle of the day. In general, it is best for this plant species to avoid being exposed to either direct or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Sugarstick plants should be pruned once a year in late winter or early spring. Pruning encourages bushier growth and denser flowering. Cut back the previous year's dead flower stalks to just above a node or leaf. Stems should be pruned back to a new sheltering branch, creating an outward-growing cage-like shape that will give the plant protection from wind and other elements. Because the sugarstick is a low-growing ground cover, any pruning should be done with an eye toward preserving the overall shape of the shrub and its natural branching formation. Pruning should be done just above where the stem meets a leaf, bud or branch to avoid damage.