Calceolaria spp.

slipper flowers

Calceolariaceae

Mexico, Central and South America, Andes

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Calceolaria spp. is a genus of about 270 species of annual and perennial herbs and subshrubs in the family Calceolariaceae, native to the Americas, from Mexico south through the Andes to Patagonia. Plants range from low alpine cushions a few inches high to bushy plants 2 feet (60 cm) tall, with soft, often hairy, wrinkled green leaves. The flowers are the defining feature: each has a swollen, pouched lower lip shaped like a slipper or small purse, balanced by a much smaller upper lip, in shades of yellow, orange, red, and bronze, frequently spotted or blotched with darker markings. Bloom comes mainly in spring and summer, with flowers clustered above the foliage. The genus occupies habitats from cool, moist mountain meadows and forest floors to drier slopes, depending on the species. A limitation across the genus is sensitivity to heat and humidity: the large-flowered types sold as flowering pot plants are short-lived and decline quickly in warm rooms, while many wild species need cool, moist, frost-free conditions that are difficult to maintain.

Native Range

Calceolaria spp. is native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico through Central America and along the Andes to southern Chile and Argentina. Species grow in mountain meadows, cool forests, rocky slopes, and grasslands, with the greatest diversity in the Andes.

Suggested Uses

Calceolaria spp. is used as a cool-season flowering pot plant and short-term bedding for spring display, and the hardier alpine and shrubby species are grown in rock gardens, troughs, and cool borders in mild climates. The pouched flowers are grown as a feature in containers and conservatory plantings.

How to Identify

Identify Calceolaria spp. by its pouched, slipper- or purse-shaped flowers, in which the inflated lower lip dwarfs the small upper lip, often in yellow, orange, or red with darker spots. The leaves are soft, wrinkled, and frequently hairy. The two-part pouched flower separates the genus from all common bedding and pot plants.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Calceolaria spp. flowers mainly in spring and summer, with the large-flowered pot types blooming in late winter and spring under cool greenhouse conditions. The pouched flowers are held in clusters above the foliage and last several weeks. Cool temperatures extend the flowering period, while heat shortens it.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow, orange, and red

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Calceolaria spp. grows in part shade to full sun in cool climates, in moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic pH of about 5.5 to 6.5. Plants need cool, humid, frost-free conditions and decline in heat, dry air, and waterlogged soil. The large-flowered hybrids sold as pot plants are grown as short-lived seasonal color and are kept cool and out of direct midday sun. Watering keeps the soil evenly moist without wetting the soft, hairy leaves, which are prone to rot. Perennial and shrubby species are grown from seed or cuttings in mild, maritime climates.

Pruning

Spent flowers and flowering stems are removed to keep plants tidy and, in perennial species, to encourage further bloom. Bushy and shrubby species are trimmed lightly after flowering to maintain shape. The large-flowered pot types are usually discarded after blooming rather than pruned.