Columnea crassifolia

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<em>Columnea</em> <em>crassifolia</em> RHS

Synonyms

Columnea stenophylla

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

A bushy, upright, evergreen sub-shrub to 30cm, with shiny, lance-shaped leaves up to 10cm long, dark green above, yellow-green beneath. Produces hairy, tubular, vivid red flowers up to 10cm long in spring and summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–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)
H1A

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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
Guatemala, Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free. loam-free compost in bright, filtered light with protection from strong sun. Mist regularly with soft, tepid water to maintain high humidity. In the growing season water freely but carefully with soft water and apply quarter-strength, high- potash liquid fertiliser at each watering. Water sparingly in winter and avoid wetting the foliage

Propagation

Propagate by rooting tip cuttings with bottom heat in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and cyclamen mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to root and stem rots if overwatered