PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; protect from intense midday sun in hot climates to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Water when the top 2 cm of soil feels dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Prefers cool to temperate conditions; tolerates light frost down to 5°C but may die back in hard freezes
Characteristics
- Leaf: Small, ovate to lanceolate, bright green, with slightly serrated margins
- Flower: Clusters of tubular pink to salmon blooms with distinctive twin spurs at the base
- Stem: Slender, branching freely to form dense, trailing or upright mats
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water 1–2 times weekly
Fertilization
Diluted balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. Discontinue fertilization in late autumn as growth slows
Banana peel compost tea：Compost banana peels for 2–3 weeks, steep in water for 3 days, dilute 1:20 with water before applying as a root drench to avoid nutrient burnPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage prolonged flowering throughout the growing season
- Trim back leggy stems by one-third in mid-summer to promote bushier, more compact growth
- Cut back to basal growth in late autumn to prepare the plant for winter dormancy
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No known toxicity to cats
Humans: No known toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental ground cover, container plant, rock garden specimen, and border edging
