Columnea spp.

columnea

Gesneriaceae

Tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Container Friendly

SunPart Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 11–12

Overview

Columnea spp. is a genus of about 200 species of trailing and creeping evergreen perennials in the gesneriad family, native to the forests of tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean. Most are epiphytes that drape from tree branches on long, slender stems set with small, fleshy, often hairy leaves, some with red or purple undersides. The tubular flowers, 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 cm) long, flare into an irregular, hooded mouth in vivid red, orange, or yellow, and in several species the shape suggests a leaping fish, giving the name goldfish plant. The flowers are built for pollination by hummingbirds in the wild. Plants need warmth, steady humidity, and bright, indirect light, and they drop leaves and flowers in cold, dry air. The trailing stems become bare and straggly with age and need regular cutting back.

Native Range

Columnea spp. is native to the humid tropics of the Americas, from southern Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America to tropical South America. The plants grow as epiphytes in wet montane and lowland forests, perched on tree trunks and branches. A few species grow on shaded, mossy rocks.

Suggested Uses

Grown in hanging baskets, on pedestals, and mounted on bark in warm conservatories, greenhouses, and bright rooms, where the stems can cascade. In frost-free tropical gardens the plants are grown on trees and walls. Plants are set one to a basket or spaced about 12 inches (30 cm) apart.

How to Identify

Recognized by long, trailing or arching stems lined with pairs of small, fleshy, often hairy leaves, frequently flushed red or purple beneath. The tubular flowers have a swollen base and a two-lipped, hooded mouth in red, orange, or yellow. The hooded, fish-like flowers and cascading epiphytic stems separate Columnea spp. from the related Nematanthus spp. and Aeschynanthus spp., which differ in flower and leaf shape.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in winter and spring in cultivation, though well-grown plants flower on and off through the year. Each tubular flower lasts several days, and plants can carry many at once along the stems. A cool, drier rest in fall helps trigger heavier flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red, orange, or yellow

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

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

peat loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

Reaches flowering size in 1 to 2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in bright, indirect light and a loose, free-draining mix based on peat or bark, kept evenly moist in the growing season and a little drier in winter. Warmth above 60 F (16 C) and high humidity suit the genus; cold, dry air causes leaf and bud drop. Soft water at room temperature avoids spotting the leaves. Light feeding through spring and summer supports growth and flowering. Mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites are the main pests under glass and indoors.

Pruning

Pruning keeps plants full: stems are cut back after flowering to remove bare, leggy growth and to draw out branching. The trimmings root readily as cuttings. Old plants are renewed by hard cutting back in spring.