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Columnea microcalyx 'Superba'

goldfish plant 'Superba'

A trailing subshrub with slender stems bearing small, dark green, oval leaves. The 8cm long, tubular, orange-red flowers are borne in profusion in summer. A good houseplant for a hanging basket or top of a shelf, where it can trail down

Synonyms
Columnea gloriosa 'Superba'

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1A
Botanical details
Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Genus

Columnea are evergreen shrubs and sub-shrubs with trailing stems bearing fleshy, simple leaves and solitary or clustered, tubular flowers in the leaf axils from spring to autumn

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots or hanging baskets of open, humus-rich compost in bright filtered or indirect light. Mist regularly with tepid soft water to maintain high humidity. When in growth water freely but carefully with soft water and apply a quarter-strength, high potash liquid fertiliser at each watering. Water sparingly in winter. To maintain vigour, propagate every 2-3 years

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • hanging basket
  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

See pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, cyclamen mites and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to root and stem rots if overwatered

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