Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’

Selection history of Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’

‘Twister’ originated as a naturally occurring branch mutation of the hybrid cultivar ‘Rasta’. It was found among cultivated ‘Rasta’ plants in Sleeuwijk, the Netherlands, in May 2003 and was propagated from cuttings from August of that year.

US plant patent PP17,916 was granted for ‘Twister’ in 2007.

Care for the Compact Curled Foliage

• Preserve the dense shape: Give the hanging shoots bright indirect window light. If moving the plant out of shade, increase exposure gradually and shield it from prolonged hot midday sun.
• Check the pot beneath the foliage: Dense growth can hide a mix that is still wet. Water thoroughly after the upper layer has dried, let the pot empty completely and use a loose substrate with bark or other coarse material.
• Keep it warm: Stable indoor warmth suits ‘Twister’. Keep the pot away from cold draughts and chilled window glass, particularly after watering.
• Let the cultivar keep its natural shape: Feed lightly during active growth. Remove weak or damaged shoots and shorten a stem only when it has grown well beyond the rest of the plant.

What to Check in Dense ‘Twister’ Growth

• Small insects gather on tender tips or flowers: Aphids can build quickly on soft new growth. Isolate the plant, rinse or wipe away the insects and inspect developing tips again after several days. If they return, use a houseplant treatment labelled for aphids and follow the product directions.
• The plant stays leafy but flowering remains poor: Check whether it is close enough to a bright window. If daylight is limited, move it closer in stages. The practical checks in the bright indirect light guide can be used to test the new location.
• Yellow leaves appear while the substrate remains wet: Delay the next watering, confirm that the pot drains and check whether old mix has compacted. Continued yellowing, soft stems or a sour smell from the pot call for a root inspection; the root rot guide explains what to keep and what to remove when decay is present.

Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’ 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.