Elatostema repens

RHS Plant Profile

trailing watermelon begonia

Other common names

watermelon begonia

Synonyms

Pellionia repens
Pellionia daveauana
Elatostema daveauanum

Conservatory Greenhouse

A trailing or creeping evergreen perennial to 10cm in height, with elliptic, dark green leaves marbled with pale green or grey markings above, purple-tinged beneath. Flowers insignificant. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens

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: 5–10 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: West–facing or South–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: Tropical 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