Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red Yellow | Green White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Yellow | Green White | ||
| Autumn | Red Yellow | Green White | ||
| Winter | Green White |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Aphelandra are evergreen shrubs with opposite, simple, entire leaves, often attractively veined or patterned with silver, and dense terminal spikes of tubular, 2-lipped flowers with colourful bracts
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in well-drained soil in frost-free area. Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in filtered light in summer
Propagation
Propagate after flowering by cutting back the main stem to a stong pair of leaves to encourage side shoots. When these are 8-10cm (3-4in) long, detach and root
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and mealybugs
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.