About

An evergreen perennial forming a clump of erect stems to 1.5m, bearing deep olive-green, oblong-elliptic leaves 20cm in length, green or reddish beneath, and small white flowers among conspicuous 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

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHerbaceous borders, cottage gardens, cutting.

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free compost in bright filtered light, allowing a free root run. Grow outdoors in moist, fertile soil in full sun or dappled shade in frost-free area
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or division when dormant or after flowering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free