A clump-forming, rhizomatous, hardy evergreen perennial with upright, textured glossy green foliage, occasionally spotted. Purple, star-shaped flowers appear at the base of the plant in late summer to autumn. Performs best as a houseplant in a shady location, or outside in pots in a sheltered position
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
As a houseplant, grow in large pots of peat-free, loam-based compost. Although tolerant of deep shade, growth is best in bright, filtered light with a minimum temperature of 7°C. Water moderately in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed 2-3 times during the growing season; variegated cultivars revert to green if overfed. Outdoors grow in moist but well-drained, fertile, sandy loam with added leaf mould, in a sheltered site with full or partial shade. See houseplant cultivation for further information
Propagate by division
No pruning required
May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and vine weevil larvae
Generally disease-free