Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Achimenes are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with scaly rhizomes producing trailing stems bearing simple, opposite or whorled leaves and salver-shaped showy flowers in the leaf axils in summer and autumn
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in either multi-purpose compost or John Innes No 2 loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. To bring rhizomes into growth in spring, temperatures of 16-18°C (61-64°F) are ideal. Water sparingly until summer when plants should be watered freely. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength at each watering
Propagation
Propagate by dividing rhizomes or taking stem cuttings in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and thrips
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.