Gloxinia perennis

RHS Plant Profile
Canterbury bells

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Gloxinia perennis?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse

A bushy, tender, rhizomatous perennial to 1.2m, bearing glossy, toothed leaves to 20cm long, suffused red below. From early summer to mid-autumn it produces purple-blue, bell-shaped flowers with violet bases

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H1B

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
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Panama to Peru

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a humus-rich potting compost in bright indirect light with high humidity. When in growth water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2 or 3 weeks.

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 19-24°C in spring, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil, tarsonemid mite and western flower thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews