Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Alpine RockeryConservatory Greenhouse

Petrocosmea iodioides
  • RHS AGM

violet petrocosmea

P. iodioides is a tender, hairy, evergreen perennial producing a rosette of rounded, fleshy leaves with sunken veins. Blue-purple flowers with a small hood and large lower lip are produced in small clusters on dark red, upright stems in summer

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Petrocosmea are evergreen perennials producing low rosettes of fleshy, often felted, lance-shaped or rounded leaves. Five-lobed, tubular to bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters in spring

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a shallow pot of very well-drained compost in a cool greenhouse or alpine house, in semi-shade, with a humid atmosphere

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by leaf cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.