About
Peristrophe speciosa, the purple rice plant, is an evergreen subshrub to 120 cm with elliptic green leaves to 8 cm long on greyish stems. Strongly two-lipped, magenta, tubular flowers to 5 cm long are produced in clusters of two to three in the axils of leafy bracts on a branched panicle, mostly in winter. A rewarding and ornamental plant for a frost-free, sheltered, sunny garden or heated conservatory.
About the genus
Peristrophe are tropical perennials and subshrubs with simple leaves and showy, two-lipped, tubular flowers borne in clusters surrounded by narrow bracts. Grown in frost-free, sheltered gardens and heated conservatories.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toIndia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in containers using soil based compost in bright filtered light. Shelter from midday sun. Water well from spring to autumn, but let the surface of the compost to dry a little between waterings. Apply liquid balanced liquid feed monthly. Reduce watering in winter
PruningTrim back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cutting in late spring, early summer. Bottom heat may be beneficial
Pest resistanceGlasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and other glasshouse pests may be a problem
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free