Aeschynanthus ‘Japhrolepis’

Cultivated form and natural range of Aeschynanthus ‘Japhrolepis’

‘Japhrolepis’ is an established horticultural cultivar of Aeschynanthus and exists only in cultivation.

The genus belongs to the Gesneriaceae and occurs naturally from southern China across tropical Asia.

Keeping Aeschynanthus ‘Japhrolepis’ healthy

• Light and stem growth: Keep the plant near a bright window and filter prolonged strong direct sun. Increase the light gradually if fresh leaves begin appearing farther apart.
• Humidity: Aim for 50–60% humidity.
• Water by feel: Soak the root ball once the upper layer has started to dry, then let the pot drain completely. Wait longer between waterings when cooler or lower-light conditions slow drying.
• Keep the mix open: Bark or another coarse material helps the roots receive both moisture and air. Refresh old potting mix if it compacts or stays wet for many days.
• Keep useful trailing length: The fine hanging shoots are part of the cultivar’s character. Remove damaged or weak stems and shorten only growth that has become impractical for the space.
• Support active growth: Keep temperatures around 18–26 °C. Keep the plant in warm indoor conditions, preferably above about 15 °C. Use a half-strength general liquid fertiliser about once a month while fresh shoots are extending, and reduce feeding when growth slows.
• Propagation: Healthy multi-node stem pieces are suitable for propagation; keep them warm as roots form.

Reading Changes in the Narrow Shoots

• New leaves are spaced farther apart: Compare the newest section with older compact growth. If the gaps are increasing, move the plant gradually towards stronger filtered daylight. Judge the result from the next section of stem, since existing gaps will not close.
• Several leaves turn soft and yellow while the mix stays wet: Stop adding water and check whether the pot can drain. If the decline continues after the substrate has partly dried, inspect the roots. Remove brown, soft tissue and repot into fresh airy mix when decay is present; the root rot guide covers the recovery steps.
• White cottony clusters collect at nodes: Isolate the plant and inspect the close leaf bases carefully. Wipe away visible mealybugs, then recheck the same nodes and fresh tips over the following days. Persistent insects can be treated with a houseplant product labelled for mealybugs, used exactly as directed; see the mealybug guide.

Aeschynanthus ‘Japhrolepis’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

Aeschynanthus: name and meaning

Aeschynanthus combines the Greek aischyne, meaning shame or embarrassment, with anthos, flower.

William Jack established the genus Aeschynanthus in 1823 in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, volume 14, page 42.