About
Costus pulverulentus is a rhizomatous perennial that grows to approximately 2 meters in height. It features sizable, dark green leaves that are spirally arranged along the stem. The plant produces tubular flowers that vary from red to orange-red, accompanied by basal bracts, forming dense clusters at the top of the stems throughout the year.
About the genus
Costus consists of rhizomatous perennials characterized by their spirally arranged foliage. They produce tubular flowers with three petals, typically clustered at the ends of leafy stems, often accompanied by prominent bracts.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1A
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical
- Native to
- Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a warm greenhouse or conservatory in a container or raised bed, using ericaceous potting compost, in bright indirect light, with high humidity. Water freely from spring to summer and use a general fertiliser monthly. Reduce watering in autumn and water sparingly in winter. Pot on or replant in spring. 19637,costus-curvibracteatus,Costus curvibracteatus,,A clump-forming perennial to about 1m tall from central and southern Europe with deeply divided
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed with heat, as soon as ripe, or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free