Elatostema repens var. pulchrum

RHS Plant Profile
trailing watermelon begonia

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trailing watermelon begonia RHS 2002

Other common names

rainbow vine

Synonyms

Pellionia pulchra
Elatostema pulchrum

Conservatory Greenhouse

A trailing evergreen perennial to 10cm high, with purple stems bearing attractive grey-mottled, dark green leaves, veined deeper green, and purple beneath. Flowers insignificant

Position

Full shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Urticaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Genus
Elatostema can be perennials or subshrubs, with simple, evergreen leaves which are heavily mottled with silver or bronze, and insignificant greenish flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, indirect light and shade from hot sun. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth and water moderately in winter. Can be grown outdoors in fertile, humus-rich soil in deep shade. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

Propagation

Propagate by root cuttings at anytime of year

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Shorten shoots, when in growth, to maintain shape

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free