Shamflowers are rather difficult to cultivate hanging plants that can set decorative accents with their evergreen, thick leaves and special flowers.
Contrary to its name, a shamflower (Aeschynanthus) is nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary: the evergreen plant that blooms every year is ideal, for example, as a hanging traffic light plant in warm rooms with a slightly higher humidity. But there are a few things to consider when caring for your lipstick flower for as long as possible. In this article we will introduce you to the tropical houseplant, give tips on the care and location of Aeschynanthus and explain how to propagate shamrocks.
Shamrock: origin and properties
The unfavorable German name is probably derived from the Greek word origin of the scientific name. Aischyne means shame or disgrace and anthos denotes the flower. Other synonyms such as sensual flower or lipstick plant sound nicer. The latter name was derived from English, where the plant is known as "lipstick plant" because of its red flowers. The original home of the shamflower is in the rain forests of Southeast Asia, where it usually grows as an epiphyte on other trees, where it forms tendrils up to 3 meters long. In the meantime, some species have become popular houseplants. Shamflowers impress with their evergreen, thick and pointed oval leaves, the hanging habit resembling a green curtain and the red, yellow or orange flowers, which can be admired between June and September.
By the way: The shamflowers form a genus within the Gesneria family (Gesneriaceae) and contain an estimated 185 species, which can vary greatly in their properties and requirements. This article therefore only describes shamflowers that can be cultivated here as ornamental plants.
Themost beautiful Aeschynanthus species and varieties
There is a wide range of around 185 different species here in Germany. Below we have put together a small selection of particularly popular Aeschynanthus species for you. In nature, these all grow epiphytically, i.e. as non-parasitic epiphytes on other plants, and prefer bright locations.
Aeschynanthus radicans: This species is one of the best known here in Germany. Different varieties can also be found, for example Aeschynanthus radicans 'Rasta' or Aeschynanthus radicans 'Variegata'. Most strains have dark green, thick leaves and bright red flowers, which explains where the name "lipstick plant" comes from.
Aeschynanthus pulcher, Synonym: Aeschynanthus lobbianus: Also with this kind you get a typical lipstick plant in your home, with dark green leaves and mostly deep red flowers that emerge like lipsticks from the brown calyxes. Here, however, there are also large differences between the varieties. For example, Aeschynanthus pulcher 'Twister' is characterized by curled leaves.
Spotted shamrock (Aeschynanthus marmoratus, Synonym: Aeschynanthus longicaulis): The spotted shamrock certainly belongs to the exceptional Aeschynanthus species. According to its name, it is characterized by the leaves marbled in different shades of green on the upper side. Marbling is then brown-purple on the underside. In addition, the spotted shamrock has orange-green flowers.
Aeschynanthus speciosus: This species is also one of the typical hanging Aeschynanthus species. Its shoots, on which dark green leaves are up to 10 cm long, can reach lengths of around 60 cm. It flowers terminally in colors ranging from bright orange to scarlet. A particularly popular variety of this shamflower is 'Mona Lisa' with its deep red flowers. Aeschynanthus speciosus ‘Mona Lisa’ is sometimes called Rayed Sensiflora.
Aeschynanthus japhrolepis: The shoots of Aeschynanthus japhrolepis can reach a length of up toReach 1.20 meters and are adorned with intense green, narrow leaves. From June to September, this species delights with salmon-pink to red-orange flowers.
Plants: location, soil and procedure
Derived from their origin, shamrocks love it warm and humid. In summer it is important that temperatures do not fall below 20 °C. In addition, the location should be very bright, but not in full sun. A bright bathroom, for example, is well suited for these reasons. Pubic flowers can react very sensitively to a change of location or repotting, which, for example, results in the flower buds being dropped. It is therefore advisable to put the plants in a new pot either in autumn or spring. The plant substrate should be slightly acidic and particularly loose. It is also important that water can drain away easily in any case - drainage holes in the pot are therefore mandatory if you cultivate the lipstick flower. Since the species presented here are all naturally epiphytes, a substrate similar to that for orchids is ideal. In any case, the substrate should be rather coarse and not pressed down.
Tip: Instead of buying orchid soil, you can also mix the substrate yourself. For example, our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil is mixed with expanded clay and pine bark in a ratio of 1:1:1. Such a mixture satisfies the needs of the shamrock without the shame of using peat.
Tip: It is best if you place the plant in a container filled with pebbles and water. The water that evaporates in this way ensures the required high level of humidity.
Care of Aeschynanthus
Since shamrocks naturally grow in tropical conditions, indoor cultivation is rather challenging. The aim of maintaining Aeschynanthus is to replicate these tropical conditions as closely as possible.
Water, cut and fertilize
The correct watering of shamrocks requires a certain amount of sensitivity, because the plants should always be kept moist, but never left in the wet. This means watering frequently but little. There should also be no water in the saucer or planter. It is also important to use lukewarm and, if possible, low-lime water for watering. AroundTo mimic tropical conditions, you can also spray the plant regularly with lukewarm water.
Tip: Regular spraying also helps prevent some pests.
In principle, shamrocks do not have to be cut. However, if some shoots are too long or have become bare, it is best to cut them back in spring. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this and make sure that a third of the original shoot is retained. Old, dead shoots should also be removed.
In the growth phase from March to August, shamflowers enjoy moderate fertilization about every two weeks. For example, our Plantura organic room and green plant fertilizer is well suited for this. It consists of 100% natural ingredients and supports he althy growth and rich leaf formation.
Shamflower is losing leaves: You can do this
If Aeschynanthus loses leaves, there can be several reasons. These include:
- Varying temperature or soil moisture
- Too dark location
- Change of location
- Humidity too low
- Wrong substrate and poor drainage leading to waterlogging and root rot
If one of these points applies to your plant, try to counteract it - for example by placing the plant in a brighter place. If the humidity is too low, it can help to spray the plant regularly with lukewarm, low-lime water or to place it in a saucer filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, this also increases the humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plant.
Tip: There are two ways to winterize shamflowers. They are either cultivated warm and sufficiently bright all year round, or they are kept cooler over the winter and watered less frequently. At around 16 °C, the plant goes into a dormant phase, which usually causes more flowering in the following year. If you don't have a conservatory or something similar, a cool hibernation is more appropriate, because the plants often lack light during a warm hibernation.
Propagating shamflower
Propagation of Aeschynanthus can be done all year roundtake place and is easiest via cuttings. In nature, shamflowers are mostly pollinated by birds, which is why they do not form seeds as indoor plants.
Propagating pubic flowers from cuttings
- Fill pots of around 10 cm in diameter with a nutrient-poor and loose substrate. For example, our Plantura organic herb and seed soil is well suited.
- You will need about 10 to 15 cm long softwood head cuttings. To do this, simply cut off the shoot tips with a clean knife.
- Remove the lower leaves, cut the cutting at an angle below a leaf node and put up to three of the shamflower offshoots at least 5 cm deep in a pot.
- Water the substrate well and then put a plastic bag over the pot to ensure a constantly high level of humidity.
- Place the cuttings in a bright and, above all, warm place. A temperature of 23 °C is recommended. Make sure the soil is always slightly moist.
- Since soft cuttings are more susceptible to fungal diseases, the area underneath the plastic film should be ventilated every day.
- When you see the first new shoots, it usually means that roots have formed. Now the plants can move into their final planter. It is best to put 7 to 10 plants in a pot to get a bushy shape. You can do this as described in the planting section.
Is the shamflower poisonous?
Shamflowers can be classified as slightly poisonous. Basically, as with most houseplants, consumption has no positive effects in any case. Regardless of the toxicity of Aeschynanthus, there are definitely no benefits to eating it. For cats shamrocks are rather non-toxic. If you still want to be on the safe side, simply place your shamrock in a place out of the reach of children and pets.
Like the shamflower, the Medinilla is also a houseplant with an extraordinary bloom. With us you will learn how to plant and care for the Medinilla.