Alsobia dianthiflora
lace flower
A tropical epiphytic perennial or subshrub, to around 30cm high and spreading by trailing runners, with succulent, hairy green leaves with dark reddish veins and scalloped edges. Solitary, funnel-shaped white flowers, with fringed edges to the petals and sometimes mottled with purple on the insides, are produced in the leaf axils
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Purple | Green Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Green Red | |||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming, Trailing
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Mexico to Colombia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass, or in containers to overwinter in a greenhouse, in moist but well-drained soil in bright, filtered light or light shade. Do not allow to dry out or to sit in water. See houseplant cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings, or by layering, pinning runners into soil and allowing them to root before separating from the main plant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- hanging basket
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pinch out stems to enourage bushier growth
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
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