A tender perennial with trailing stems to 1m, bearing needle-like, silver-grey leaves to 2cm long. In spring and early summer it produces red-tipped, orange flowers, 3cm long and shaped like lobster claws
1-1.5 metres
0.5-1 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added grit in full light. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Treat as an annual or overwinter plants in a warm greenhouse; cut back stems before starting back into growth in spring
Propagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in spring; take semi-ripe cutting in summer
No pruning required
May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite
Generally disease-free