| Description: |
Trailing perennial with rounded ovate leaves. The inflorescence is upright and has many pink bell-shaped flowers. |
| Origin: |
Madagascar, South Africa, Ethiopia |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) with a little added sand or if you want to mix your own take:
3 parts coarse sand or perlite, 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts humus (leaf mold), 1 part rinsed aquarium charcoal chips and a dusting of bone meal and limestone or a couple of eggshells (which can be substituted for limestone).
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| Watering: |
Drench the soil and let it become barely moist between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed only twice a year, once in April and once in July with a water soluble fertilizer. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mealy bugs and rarely scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds and leaf cuttings/ stem cuttings (let the cut end dry out first)
in the late spring through summer.
Propagate them in evenly moist soil, mist occasionally and keep in filtered sunlight until they are growing.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Avoid getting water on the leaves. Requires good ventilation and reduced watering in the winter. Be careful not to over-water. Put a layer of small gravel at the bottom of the pot and also one inch on the top of the soil to prevent stem rot. Keep cool and dry in the winter.
An ideal plant for a hanging basket.
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| Air Purifier: |
Some species remove formaldehyde from the surrounding atmosphere. |