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Columnea hirta
  • RHS AGM

hairy columnea

A trailing subshrub with hairy stems and densely hairy leaves to 4cm long. The 7cm long, tubular, orange-red flowers are produced in summer. A good houseplant for a hanging basket or top of a shelf, where it can trail down

Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Genus

Columnea are evergreen shrubs and sub-shrubs with trailing stems bearing fleshy, simple leaves and solitary or clustered, tubular flowers in the leaf axils from spring to autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
C. Rica, Panama

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots or hanging baskets of open, humus-rich compost in bright filtered or indirect light. Mist regularly with tepid soft water to maintain high humidity. When in growth water freely but carefully with soft water and apply a quarter-strength, high potash liquid fertiliser at each watering. Water sparingly in winter. To maintain vigour, propagate every 2-3 years

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • hanging basket
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

See pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, cyclamen mites and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to root and stem rots if overwatered

Get involved

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