Torenia
Wishbone flower
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.3m × 0.25m – 0.25m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are modest plants that have appealing flowers, somewhat velvety in their appearance. They are overall conical in shape with big flaring lips. They are primarily coloured in shades of white, pink, blue and purple. In addition they have secondary tints, such as rose lips on an otherwise white plant, or a soft yellow central slash on an otherwise soft purple tone. The flowers attractively combine with the plum green buds from as yet unopened blooms. These stand from as little as 10cm in height to around 30cm in height. They are excellent choices for planting in containers, and the detail within their colours suit them to a position alongside a seating area. They are best in a partially shaded position. Although treated as annuals, they are also good subjects as house plants.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Red, Rose, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.25m – 0.25m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, 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
- 5C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with high potash feed
Feed fortnightly when in growth using a high potash house plant fertiliser.
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
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.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with high potash feed several times
Apply a fertiliser that is high in potash (potassium) several times while the plant is in flower.
Where fertiliser values are listed on a packet they are in order - nitrogen, phosphate, potassium with percentage values of each. For high potash choose a fertiliser where potassium is higher.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Pinch out growing tips
On young plants pinch out foliage tips to encourage a pleasant and bushy growth habit.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.