Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’

Origin of ‘Twister’

Aeschynanthus ‘Twister’ arose as a naturally occurring branch mutation of the hybrid cultivar ‘Rasta’. Albert Schouten discovered and selected it in a controlled growing environment at Sleeuwijk in the Netherlands in May 2003. Propagation by cuttings from August 2003 preserved its reflexed, concave leaves and cascading growth.

Care for Reflexed, Concave Leaves

• Light: Bright filtered light supports firm curled leaves and flowering. Weak light can increase the gaps between pairs and produce flatter new leaves; harsh direct sun can scorch the blades.
• Water: Water once the surface begins to dry, then let the pot drain completely.
• Humidity and airflow: Moderate humidity reduces dry leaf edges. Air must circulate around the concave foliage so trapped water can evaporate.
• Temperature: Stable warmth around 18 to 25 °C supports active growth. Protect the plant from cold draughts.
• Substrate: Use an airy bark-based mix with mineral drainage material.
• Feeding: Diluted balanced fertiliser during active growth is sufficient. Excess salts can mark leaf edges.
• Pruning: Remove weak or bare trails at a healthy node to encourage branching nearer the crown.
• Propagation: Stem cuttings preserve the cultivar’s characteristic leaf shape.

Moisture and Pests Inside the Curves

• Water remaining in leaf curves: Stop misting and improve airflow before fungal spotting develops.
• White insects or sticky residue: Mealybugs or aphids are present. Isolate the plant, remove visible insects from every concave blade and node, then use a treatment labelled for ornamental plants. Repeat as directed on the label.
• Soft yellow leaves: Wet roots or dense substrate are restricting oxygen. Check drainage and remove decayed roots.
• New leaves become flatter and gaps increase: Light may be too weak. Move the plant into brighter filtered light and assess the next growth.
• Bud drop: Sudden drying, cold air or moving the plant during bud development can interrupt flowering.

Pet safety

• Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Plant material is not intended for consumption, and swallowing it may still cause digestive upset.

Name and cultivar history

Horticultural hybrid name: Aeschynanthus hybrida ‘Twister’

Aeschynanthus combines the Greek aischyne, meaning shame or embarrassment, with anthos, flower. William Jack published the genus in Transactions of the Linnean Society of London, volume 14, page 42, in 1823.

‘Twister’ arose as a naturally occurring branch mutation of the hybrid cultivar ‘Rasta’. Albert Schouten discovered and selected it in a controlled growing environment at Sleeuwijk in the Netherlands in May 2003; it was propagated from cuttings from August 2003. The cultivar is described in United States Plant Patent PP17,916, granted on 14 August 2007 to inventor Albert Schouten and assigned to New Variety B.V.