Nematanthus 'Black Magic'

RHS Plant Profile

nematanthus 'Black Magic'

RHS / Joanna Kossak

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A semi-trailing, evergreen sub-shrub with small, fleshy, dark green leaves. Tubular orange flowers are produced in summer, and sporadically at other times in warm conditions

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

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

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–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: Trailing
Genus: Nematanthus are trailing evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, fleshy leaves and solitary or clustered, tubular flowers in the leaf axils
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass, or as a houseplant, in peat-free potting compost in bright, filtered light, watering with soft water

Propagation

Propagate by softwood (stem-tip) cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required but remove shoot tips from young plants to encourage branching

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, particularly on young growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free