About
An upright perennial with lance-shaped leaves to 45cm long, deep olive-green above and wine-red beneath; in winter and spring, white flowers with orange sepals open in panicles among red bracts.
About the genus
Stromanthe are evergreen rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with simple, lance-shaped to ovate leaves and racemes or panicles of cup-shaped white, yellow or red flowers with showy bracts, in winter, spring or summer
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toBrazil
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free potting compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely when in growth, maintain high humidity and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser every 2 or 3 weeks. Water moderately in winter
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, or division when dormant, or after flowering, to minimise root damage
Pest resistanceGlasshouse red spider mite can occur
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free