About

Achimenes 'Charm' is a compact, deciduous perennial that reaches up to 20 cm in height. Its foliage features serrated, deeply veined dark green leaves adorned with a silvery sheen. From June to October, it produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers in a coral-pink hue.

About the genus

Achimenes are perennial plants with rhizomes that store nutrients, producing long, trailing stems. These stems support simple leaves that appear either opposite or in whorls. During the summer and autumn months, the plants produce conspicuous, salver-shaped flowers that emerge from the axils of the leaves.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H1C

Plant details

Plant type
Houseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
1 year
Suggested uses
Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow under glass in either peat-free, multi-purpose compost or peat-free John Innes No 2 loam-based compost in bright filtered light. To bring rhizomes into growth in spring, temperatures of 16-18°C (61-64°F) are ideal. Water sparingly until summer when plants should be watered freely. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength at each watering
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring or stem tip cuttings in spring. See softwood cuttings for further advice
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and thrips
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free