About
Columnea crassifolia is a compact, evergreen sub-shrub that grows to about 30 cm in height. Its leaves are lance-shaped, reaching lengths of up to 10 cm, with a glossy dark green surface and a yellow-green underside. During the spring and summer months, it produces hairy, tubular flowers that can measure up to 10 cm in bright red.
About the genus
Columnea consists of evergreen shrubs and sub-shrubs characterized by their trailing stems, which support thick, simple leaves. From spring through autumn, you can find solitary or clustered tubular flowers emerging from the leaf axils.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- Guatemala, Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in a peat-free. loam-free compost in bright, filtered light with protection from strong sun. Mist regularly with soft, tepid water to maintain high humidity. In the growing season water freely but carefully with soft water and apply quarter-strength, high- potash liquid fertiliser at each watering. Water sparingly in winter and avoid wetting the foliage
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by rooting tip cuttings with bottom heat in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and cyclamen mites
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to root and stem rots if overwatered