Whitefeldia

Family. Acanthaceae.

Origin. West Africa, Sierra Leone.

Description. Whitefeldia is a genus of plants in the Acanthaceae family, comprising about 10 species, native to tropical Africa. It is a perennial shrub that is often grown as an annual and discarded after flowering. The leaves are large, glossy, dark green, and contrast beautifully with the white or red tubular flowers, which are borne in upright clusters on tall stems.

Height. Up to 1.5 m in the natural environment and about 50 cm in culture.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

All year round not lower than 16° C.

Lighting

Place the flower in a bright place; whitefeldia also grows well in partial shade.

Care

As young seedlings develop, they need to be pinched two or three times to form lateral shoots.

Substrate

Light, drained and nourishing.

Feeding

From March to August, feed with water-soluble flower fertilizers every 14 days. 

Purpose

An excellent flowering species for a shady location.

Flowering time

January - May, in culture October - March.

Air humidity

It is advisable to spray the leaves, but so that drops of water do not fall on the flowers - they will leave stains. 

Soil moisture

Whitefieldia requires regular and abundant watering - do not allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Transfer

It is not necessary to replant - the bush is often grown as an annual plant.

Reproduction

Green cuttings in the summer, preferably with the use of growth hormones and bottom heating.

Pests and diseases

Of the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by aphids, mealybugs, spider mites and whiteflies.