Kohleria
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.5m × 0.4m – 0.4m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 50 species of Kohleria, both perennial and shrubby forms. They are tender plants that come from tropical regions of the Americas. Only a few forms are known in the UK, and these are many hybrids that have been developed for their floral beauty and are used as house or greenhouse plants. They all have hairy foliage and generally showy flowers that were originally in shades of red and orange, but which now exist in a range of shades including yellow and white, often with spots or markings on the blooms.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Mahogany
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.5m
- Spread
- 0.4m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with high potash feed
Feed the plant every fortnight as flower buds form in late spring and summer. Use a houseplant fertiliser that is high in potash.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where potassium has a high value
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water sparingly during dormancy
In its dormant period give very little water, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is likely to be during the winter and the plant recommences growth in early to mid spring.
When a plant enters dormancy the leaves fade, go yellow and then brown. Eventually the whole plant may 'disappear' or unadorned stems may remain.
Planting & general
Indoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.