About
Sarmienta scandens, the climbing Chilean pitcher flower, is a prostrate, evergreen perennial with half-woody, rooting stems bearing obovate leaves and solitary, urn-shaped, bright-red flowers 2.5 cm long in summer. A rewarding and ornamental climbing plant for a cool, moist, sheltered position or peaty bank.
About the genus
Sarmienta are creeping, epiphytic, woody-based perennials with simple, paired leaves and five-lobed, urn-shaped flowers borne in the leaf axils. Native to cool, moist forests in Chile.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toChile
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in 2 parts peat-free potting compost and 1 part each fine-grade granulated bark and leafmould, or grow epiphytically. Provide bright, indirect light. Water freely in growth and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, or root stem-tip cuttings in late summer. Separate rooted stems in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free