Aeschynanthus speciosus

RHS Plant Profile

showy basket plant

John Fielding

Synonyms

Aeschynanthus aucklandiae

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A spreading, trailing, tropical perennial with leathery green leaves. In summer and autumn it bears clusters of yellow and dark orange tubular flowers to 10cm long. Makes a good houseplant for a bright spot

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–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: Trailing
Genus: Aeschynanthus can be climbers, subshrubs or trailing perennials with simple, fleshy, evergreen leaves and showy tubular flowers, some with a contrasting calyx
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Malaysia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a house or conservatory plant indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost. Position the container in bright, filtered light for best growth and flowering. Water freely and apply a half strength, general liquid feed monthly from mid spring to late summer. Water sparingly in winter. See houseplant cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Hanging Basket
Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim back weak or overly-long shoots as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free