Aeschynanthus pulcher

Forests of Mainland and Island Southeast Asia

Aeschynanthus pulcher is native from southern Indo-China into western Malesia. It grows on trees and rocks in humid tropical forest.

The roots attach to bark or settle in small pockets of organic material. The stems climb or hang beyond the rooting point. Rain reaches the roots regularly and drains from the raised habitat.

Care for epiphytic roots and trailing growth

• Light: Bright filtered light supports glossy leaves and terminal flower clusters.
• Water: Water once the upper mix begins to dry and let the pot drain completely.
• Humidity and airflow: Moderate to high humidity reduces dry leaf margins and keeps newly formed aerial roots from drying quickly. Provide air movement around the stems.
• Temperature: Protect it from chilling temperatures.
• Feeding: Supply diluted fertiliser during stem, leaf and bud development.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Aeschynanthus pulcher

• Soft roots or stem base: Heavy wet mix is restricting oxygen. Remove decay and repot or reroot healthy stem sections.
• Few flowers: Check light, maturity and temperature stability. Excess nitrogen can also favour leafy growth over buds. If the plant is mature and otherwise healthy, improve filtered light, avoid high-nitrogen feeding and assess the next flowering cycle.
• Yellow leaves: Wet roots are common, although cold or an old individual leaf may also be responsible. If yellowing spreads, compare pot moisture with root firmness: water an evenly dry root ball, but inspect and clean soft roots when the mix at the bottom of the pot is still damp.
• Long bare stems: Increase filtered light and prune to active nodes.
• Pests: Aphids, mealybugs and mites can gather at shoot tips, flower clusters and leaf joints. Isolate the plant, rinse or wipe away visible insects, then treat the affected stems and leaf undersides with a product labelled for ornamental plants. Repeat as directed on the label and keep checking new growth.

Aeschynanthus pulcher 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.

How did Aeschynanthus pulcher get its name?

Aeschynanthus combines the Greek aischyne, meaning shame or embarrassment, with anthos, flower. The Latin epithet pulcher means beautiful.

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

Carl Ludwig Blume first described it as Trichosporum pulchrum in 1826 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 764. George Don later placed it in Aeschynanthus as Aeschynanthus pulcher in 1838 in A General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants, volume 4, page 656.