PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates dappled shade in intense summer heat to prevent leaf scorch
Watering
Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in 15–25°C; protect from frost below 10°C to avoid leaf damage
Characteristics
- Leaf: Opposite, ovate to elliptical leaves; glossy dark green, 3–6 cm long, slightly serrated margins
- Flower: Tubular yellow corollas with red-orange throats; clustered in terminal spikes
- Stem: Woody, branching stems with fine pubescence when young
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Fertilization
Apply balanced diluted liquid fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leggy growth and reduced flowering
Banana peel tea：Soak 1 chopped banana peel in 1L of water for 3 days, strain thoroughly, and drench soil to avoid pest attraction from solid debrisPruning
- Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage continuous late-season blooming
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact bushy shape
- Remove damaged, diseased, or leggy stems in early spring to promote new growth
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: No documented toxicity to cats
Humans: No documented toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental garden border plant, container plant for patios, pollinator-friendly garden addition
