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Gynura spp.
velvet plant
Overview
Gynura is a genus of about 40 to 50 species of soft-stemmed perennial herbs and scrambling subshrubs in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to tropical Africa, Asia, and nearby islands. Plants grow 1–6 ft (0.3–1.8 m) tall or long, with fleshy, brittle stems that climb, trail, or mound, and toothed, oval leaves 2–8 in (5–20 cm) long. In several species, including G. aurantiaca, the leaves and stems are densely covered in violet-purple hairs that give a velvety sheen, the source of the common name velvet plant. Small flower heads of tubular orange to yellow florets, about 0.3–0.5 in (8–12 mm) across, open at the stem tips, lack ray petals, and carry a strong, unpleasant scent that leads many growers to remove the buds. The fruit is a tiny dry seed tipped with a tuft of white hairs. Some species, such as G. procumbens and G. bicolor, are grown as leafy vegetables and herbal plants in tropical Asia. Most species are frost-tender and are grown as houseplants or warm-season foliage plants outside the tropics.
Native Range
Native to the tropics and subtropics of Africa and Asia, extending to nearby Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, where plants grow in forest margins, clearings, thickets, and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Grown as a trailing or climbing houseplant and in hanging baskets for its velvety purple foliage, and as a warm-season container and bedding plant in frost-free gardens. Edible species are grown in vegetable and herb gardens in the tropics. The trailing stems suit baskets, shelves, and indoor supports.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering can occur at almost any time in warm conditions, with clusters of small orange to yellow heads opening at the stem tips. The flowers give off a strong, unpleasant smell, and the buds are often pinched out before opening. Each head is followed by tiny seeds with white parachutes of hair.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Orange to yellowFoliage Description
Green with purple velvety hairsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-6 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in bright, indirect light, which deepens the purple colouring, in moist, free-draining potting soil or garden loam. Even moisture suits them through the warm season, with less water in cool weather, and cold, wet roots cause rot. Warmth and humidity above 55°F (13°C) suit the foliage, as the genus is frost-tender. Soft tips are pinched to keep growth bushy, and plants are easily renewed from cuttings, which root quickly. Older plants grow leggy and are usually replaced every few years. The leaves can be marked by direct sun and by water left sitting on the hairs.Pruning
Soft stem tips are pinched out regularly to keep plants compact and to remove the strongly scented flower buds. Leggy stems can be cut back hard to force fresh growth from the base. Trimmings root readily as cuttings.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons