About
This compact evergreen perennial typically grows to a height of 45 cm and features a spreading growth form. Its ovate leaves are primarily green, highlighted by a central dark brown blotch, while the margins remain green and the tops of the petioles are cream-colored. Although it may produce insignificant flowers throughout the year, they are not a focal point of the plant.
About the genus
This genus consists of annual or perennial herbs and shrubs, with some species exhibiting succulent or tuberous characteristics. They are among the simplest plants to propagate. The soft-textured foliage contributes rich colors, including red, pink, green, and purple, enhancing garden beds, borders, and container arrangements.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bedding, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered to moderate light. Pot up annually in spring. Grow outdoors in humus-rich moist but well-drained soil, enriched with well rotted manure. Provide a sheltered frost-free environment
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free