Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Pink Polka’

A Pink-Flowered Aeschynanthus Cultivar

Aeschynanthus ‘Pink Polka’ is a cultivated selection grown for its pale to soft pink tubular flowers and trailing stems.

The genus Aeschynanthus is native from southern China through tropical Asia. Many species grow on trees or rocks in humid forest, with roots in loose organic material and stems held above the ground.

Growing a trailing epiphyte indoors

• Light: Bright filtered light provides the energy needed for buds. Avoid strong direct sun on the leaves.
• Water: Let the surface begin to dry, then water thoroughly and drain the pot.
• Humidity and airflow: Moderate humidity reduces dry tips. Air movement around buds and leaves limits persistent moisture.
• Temperature: Protect it from chilling temperatures and avoid abrupt cold during bud development.
• Feeding: Diluted balanced fertiliser during active growth supplies developing stems and buds.

Flowering, Leaf and Pest Problems

• No buds: The plant may be too young, too dark or growing too slowly in cool conditions. If the plant is mature, provide stronger filtered light and stable warmth, then wait for a new flowering cycle rather than increasing feed immediately.
• Buds stop and fail to open: Check for cold, dry roots or pests around the calyx. Correct the factor that matches the evidence, keep the pot in one place and inspect the next buds before pruning.
• Bud drop: Sudden drying or a rapid change in temperature or position can interrupt flowering. Stabilise moisture, temperature and position while the remaining buds develop.
• Yellow leaves: Wet compact substrate is one possible cause. Check how quickly the pot dries and inspect the roots if yellowing spreads; cold stress or the natural ageing of one older leaf can produce a similar change.
• Dry tips: Repeated drying or fertiliser salts may be marking the leaves. Check for a repeatedly dry root ball and a salt crust; restore even moisture, and flush only when accumulated salts are present.
• Pests: Aphids can gather around flower buds; mealybugs and mites hide along the stems and beneath leaves. 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 radicans ‘Pink Polka’ is non-toxic to pets

• Aeschynanthus radicans ‘Pink Polka’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• No specific toxic principle is recognised for this plant.
• Eating a large amount of plant material may still cause temporary digestive upset.

Shame and flower in Greek and rooting or producing roots

Aeschynanthus combines the Greek aischyne, meaning shame or embarrassment, with anthos, flower. The epithet radicans means rooting or producing roots and refers to stems that can root at their nodes.