About
A tender, tuberous deciduous houseplant which is borderline succulent, with compact stems and silvery-white, furry foliage. It will lose it's leaves during the winter and re-grow in spring. Large, tubular, scented orange-red flowers appear in early summer.
About the genus
Sinningia can be deciduous, tuberous perennials or small, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with simple, fleshy leaves and large, bell-shaped, to tubular flowers in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Houseplants
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toBrazil
Care notes
CultivationGrow in free-draining acid to neutral soil. Tubers should be partly exposed above the pot. Keep moist during the growing season but don't allow the pot to sit in water or let moisture settle on the tuber. Keep soil dry over winter whilst plant is dormant. Care is similar to that of African Violet
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed. Seed may be available from specialst cacti and succulent producers but can also be purchased from The Gesneriad Society at gesneriadsociety.org Cuttings are prone to rotting and may not root, or if they do root, may not produce a tuber
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to tuber rot, powdery mildews, botrytis and a rust