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Gesneriaceae
Achimenes
Achimenes longiflora
Hidden beauty.
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Genus
- Achimenes
- Native to
- Mexico, Central America
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 0.5-1.5 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade
- Soil
- rich, well-drained, humus-rich
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 10-12
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Achimenes grows from tiny scaly rhizomes that resemble miniature pinecones.
- Victorian gardeners called them 'hot water plants' because they believed warm water encouraged blooming.
- The genus name comes from the Greek 'acheimaino' meaning 'to suffer from cold,' referencing their frost sensitivity.
- Some species were crossed extensively in the 1800s, producing over 100 named cultivars by 1860.
- Their rhizomes can survive months of dormancy in completely dry soil, sprouting again when watered.
Color meanings
0
tender affection
1
secret admiration