Cyanotis somaliensis

RHS Plant Profile

pussy ears

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

kitten ears

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

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A spreading evergreen perennial to 12cm, with lance-shaped to oblong, olive-green leaves 4cm in length, with prominent white hairs on the margins. Small clusters of purple flowers 5mm across, sparsely borne in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or East–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): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Commelinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Cyanotis are slightly succulent, evergreen perennials with trailing stems bearing hairy, lance-shaped to ovate leaves, and clusters of 3-petalled, purple or blue flowers in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: N Somalia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light with shade from the midday sun. Provide low humidity and water moderately at all times. Apply a dilute low nitrogen feed during the growing season, overfeeding with cause atypical growth

Propagation

Propagate by seed or stem cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free