Sinningia leucotricha
Brazilian edelweiss
A tender, tuberous deciduous houseplant which is borderline succulent, with compact stems and silvery-white, furry foliage. Large, tubular, fragrant orange-red flowers appear in early summer. It will lose it's leaves during the winter and re-grow in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange | Grey Silver White | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver White | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Sinningia can be deciduous, tuberous perennials or small, deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with simple, fleshy leaves and large, bell-shaped, to tubular flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Brazil
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in free-draining acid to neutral soil. Tubers should be partly exposed above the pot. Keep moist during the growing season but don't allow the pot to sit in water or let moisture settle on the tuber. Keep soil dry over winter whilst plant is dormant. Care is similar to that of African Violet
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Seed may be available from specialst cacti and succulent producers but can also be purchased from The Gesneriad Society at gesneriadsociety.org Cuttings are prone to rotting and may not root, or if they do root, may not produce a tuber
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to tuber rot, powdery mildews, botrytis and a rust
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.