Aeschynanthus ‘Japhrolepis’

A Named Cultivar in a Tropical Asian Genus

‘Japhrolepis’ is an established horticultural cultivar of Aeschynanthus and does not have a wild distribution of its own.

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

Keeping the Narrow Shoots Full

• Read the newest growth: Keep the plant near a bright window and filter prolonged strong direct sun. If fresh leaves begin appearing farther apart, increase the light gradually and judge the change from the next section of stem.
• 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.
• 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 during the cooler, darker part of the year.
• Keep the mix open: Bark or another coarse component helps the roots receive both moisture and air. Refresh old substrate if it compacts or stays wet for many days.
• Support active growth: Keep the plant in warm indoor conditions, preferably above about 15 °C. From mid-spring through late summer, a half-strength general liquid fertiliser about once a month is enough.

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.