Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa', to be contemplated without moderation
Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa'
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Genus
- Aeschynanthe Aeschynanthus
- Species
- Aeschynanthus pulcher
Are you an exotic plant enthusiast or a collector of rare hybrids? Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' is sure to catch your eye. This houseplant, belonging to the Gesneriaceae family, is native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is prized for its colorful flowers and lush foliage.
How can you recognize Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa'?
Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' is a perennial plant. It can grow 30 to 60 centimeters tall and wide. Its size and trailing habit make it an ideal variety for hanging baskets or shelves.
The slender, trailing stems grow up to one meter long. The leaves, which are opposite, oval, and pointed, have a slightly fleshy texture. They measure between five and ten centimeters long and are a deep, glossy green.
The flowers appear in summer and last for several weeks. Tubular with a flared corolla, they are a vivid orange-red that contrasts with the dark red calyx.
After flowering, Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' produces elongated, capsule-shaped fruits. These contain numerous seeds that are used to propagate the plant.
This hybrid, developed from the species Aeschynanthus pulcher, is not toxic to humans or pets.
Our care tips
The plant appreciates light, but fears direct sunlight. Place it behind an east- or west-facing window.
Watering
The substrate must always be kept moist. Water with non-calcareous water at room temperature. You can use rainwater or demineralized water.
Your Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa' appreciates abundant watering. The amount of water should correspond to the size of the pot.
After watering, drain off any stagnant water in the saucer. It will rot the roots.
Misting
The air in our apartments is too dry for plants used to high humidity. Mist your Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' with water at room temperature.
Rainwater is preferable to tap water. Tap water causes white spots on the foliage.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Mona Lisa' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Obtain a pierced pot three to five centimetres larger in diameter than the previous one. Line the bottom with clay balls or pebbles.
Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa appreciate light, well-drained soil. You can use a mixture of heather earth and perlite or a potting soil for flowering plants to which you add sand.
Pour on a layer of substrate and plant your specimen. Fill the pot with your mixture and tamp gently. Water with non-calcareous water at room temperature to encourage rooting.
Place your pot on a dish of moist clay balls to improve humidity.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Add flowering plant fertilizer to watering water.
Cleaning
Clean the top and bottom of the leaves with a damp sponge. This removes dust and keeps pests at bay.
Prune
Pruning encourages branching and helps maintain a dense growth habit.
After flowering, remove wilted flowers and cut back stem ends. Use pruning shears or scissors to cut back between three and five centimetres. Remember to clean your tool before use to avoid spreading disease!
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Obtain a small, pierced pot. Fill it with a mixture of potting soil for flowering plants (about two-thirds) and sand (one-third).
Make a pilot hole with a pick, a pencil or your finger. Plant your Aeschynanthus 'Mona Lisa' cutting.
Keep the soil moist by watering before the surface dries out.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- In potsIn tubsPlanter
- Categories
- IndoorFloweryHanging plants
- Tags
- BeginnerFloweryCold-sensitive
- Origin
- Southeast Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- RedOrange
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Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
