Anisodontea

Family. Malvaceae.

Origin. Rainy areas of South Africa.

Description. Anisodontea is an erect, branched, perennial subshrub, 100 -180 cm. The stems are branched, erect, green or purple-red-brown, becoming grayish-brown with age, and have sparse pubescence. The leaves are alternate, petioles up to 2.5 cm long, green, and spiny. The leaf blade is simple, truncated, oval, 3-lobed, with 3 veins, the lobes are triangular or elliptical, sometimes serrated, covered with bristles on the veins. The inflorescence is an apical raceme. Flowers with pale pink petals, with darker veins on the upper side at the base, 15 - 20 mm. long, rounded, similar to hibiscus flowers. There are varieties with white to dark purple flowers.

Height. 1.5 m.

Anisodontea - home care

Temperature conditions

Normal room temperature, in winter – minimum – 13° C.

Lighting

Anisodontea tolerate light shade, but bloom better in the sun. 

Care

Prune by about a third or more of the length of the stems in the fall to keep the bush neat, and pinch out the tops of the shoots to enhance bushiness. 

Substrate

Nutritious soil.

Feeding

Anisodontea is fed with a slow-release active growth fertilizer regularly throughout the summer to ensure abundant flowering.

Purpose

Looks great as an ornamental plant in the garden. This is a useful shrub for the home garden with year-round flowering. Anisodontea respond well to pruning. 

Flowering time

All year round, but mainly in spring and early summer.

Air humidity

Not demanding.

Soil moisture

Keep the compost constantly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Use soft, cool water. 

Transfer

As it grows or if necessary, change the substrate in the spring.

Reproduction

By seeds or apical cuttings, in spring and summer. Use well-drained sandy soil. Seeds are sown at 13 - 18 ° C in the spring on the surface of the soil or only slightly covering them

Pests and diseases

Among the harmful insects, attacks by spider mites and aphids occur.