PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates mild afternoon shade in hot, arid climates to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil dries out; avoid standing water to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in 18–30°C; tolerates light frost down to 5°C but requires protection from hard freezes
Characteristics
- Leaf: Heart-shaped, velvety green leaves with serrated margins, up to 15 cm long
- Flower: Large 10–15 cm wide lemon-yellow single blooms with a deep maroon central eye
- Stem: Woody grey-brown stems with fine soft hairs on young growth
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during active growth
Fertilization
Diluted balanced liquid feed every 2 weeks. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth over flowering
Banana peel compost tea：Compost banana peels for 2 weeks, steep in water for 24 hours, dilute 1:20 for root drench; discard solid debris to avoid pest issuesPruning
- Prune dead or damaged branches in early spring to stimulate new flowering growth
- Trim overgrown stems after flowering to maintain a compact, rounded shape
- Remove spent blooms regularly to promote continuous flowering throughout the season
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA confirmed non-toxic; no harmful effects for cats
Humans: Non-toxic to humans; no known adverse effects from ingestion or contact
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Symbolizes warmth and joyful energy in South African gardening traditions
Usage: Ornamental garden shrub; cut flowers for floral arrangements
