English (United Kingdom) 
Russian (Russia) Asystasia
Family. Acanthaceae.
Origin. Native of Australia.
Description. Asystasia is a perennial evergreen attractive fast-growing shrub or herbaceous plant. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, on short petioles, oval, dark green with small teeth along the edge. The stems are geniculate, erect. Flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, pink-violet, orange, collected in large axillary inflorescences - brushes up to 20 cm long, blooms very abundantly. Petals are rounded or pointed - in this case the flower looks like a star. Fruits without pulp; club-shaped.
Height. 30 - 100 cm, some species reach 3 - 6 m in length, develops quickly.
Care at home
Temperature conditions for indoor plants
For growing asystasia, ordinary room temperature is quite suitable, but in winter it should be reduced to 13 - 15 ° C for the formation of buds.
Growing
Two-year-old shoots bloom, so they are not pinched. The plant will need support, which it will happily quickly entwine with its stems. Adapts perfectly to a wide range of environmental conditions - tolerates drought, direct sunlight or partial shade, and is undemanding to soil conditions.
Flowering time
With good care, asystasia can bloom all year round.
Reproduction of asystasia
The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings or seeds (when propagated by seeds, varietal characteristics may not be inherited). Lianas obtained from seeds can bloom approximately 1.5 months after the first shoots appear.
Soil
Peat mixtures with 85% organic matter, pH - 3.5 - 4.5.
Lighting
Asystasia thrives in partial shade, but will grow in a well-lit location if it receives enough moisture. During the dormant period it prefers partial shade.
Feeding
2 times a month with complex fertilizers during the growing season.
Purpose
Can be grown in a hanging basket as a trailing plant or used as a groundcover vine under larger species.
Air humidity
Not demanding.
Frequency of watering of asystasia
Water moderately; reduce watering in winter.
Transfer
Young plants are replanted annually, adults - once every 2 - 3 years.
Pests and diseases
Of the harmful insects, mealybugs and spider mites can pose a certain danger.
Note
In some parts of Africa, the leaves and young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are used medicinally to relieve asthma attacks.
Varieties of azystasia:
Asystasia variegata
A plant that has not only attractive flowers, but also extremely decorative leaves. The oval leaf blades of this species have a dark green tint and light green and white spots. Asystasia variegata has very beautiful lanceolate leaves with white, yellow or cream edges or specks. Some varieties have light-colored veins.
