About

A tender, hairy, evergreen perennial producing a rosette of rounded, fleshy leaves with sunken veins. Blue-purple flowers with a small hood and large lower lip are produced in small clusters on dark red, upright stems in summer.

About the genus

Petrocosmea are evergreen perennials producing low rosettes of fleshy, often felted, lance-shaped or rounded leaves. Five-lobed, tubular to bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters in spring

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toChina

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a shallow pot of very well-drained compost in a cool greenhouse or alpine house, in semi-shade, with a humid atmosphere
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by leaf cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free