PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerate light afternoon shade in hot, arid climates to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil dries out; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in 15–25°C; tolerate brief light frosts down to 5°C but require protection from hard freezes below 0°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Heart-shaped, velvety green leaves with serrated margins, up to 15 cm long
- Flower: Dense clusters of pale to deep pink, trumpet-shaped blooms, 2–3 cm wide
- Stem: Woody, grey-brown branches with fine pubescence when young
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist during active growth and flowering periods
Fertilization
Feed every 2 weeks with balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms
Banana peel compost tea：Compost banana peels for 2 weeks, steep in water at a 1:20 ratio, strain before drenching roots to avoid attracting pestsPruning
- Deadhead spent bloom clusters promptly to encourage new flower growth
- Prune overcrowded or crossing branches in late spring to improve airflow and shape
- Trim back leggy stems by one-third in early spring to maintain a compact form
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No toxic effects reported for cats
Humans: No documented toxic effects on humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental garden shrub, cut flower arrangements
