Scientific Name
Kohleria amabilis (Planch. & Linden) Fritsch
Common Names
Tree Gloxinia
Synonym(s)
Tydaea amabilis, Achimenes amabilis, Achimenes picta, Diastema pictum, Isoloma amabile, Isoloma amabilis, Isoloma bogotense var. amabile, Tydaea ceciliae, Tydaea venosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Gesneriaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Kohleria
Flower
Color: Pink on the outside with red or purple dots inside
Bloom Time: Late winter through the spring and summer
Description
Kohleria amabilis is a flowering plant with velvety leaves with a silvery pattern and brightly colored flowers. It grows up to 24 inches (60 cm) tall. Leaves are egg-shaped and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
The flowers are tubular, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, slightly nodding, and usually pink on the outside with red or purple dots inside. The flowering period extends from late winter through spring and summer.

Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Put your Kohleria where it'll get plenty of light but out of the direct sun. Filtered light from a south- or west-facing window will give it the light it needs. Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season, but take care not to overwater. Dry soil will cause the plant to go dormant. Soggy soil will quickly cause the rhizomes to rot.
You can expect dozens of blooms on plants in spring and summer. You'll get the most flowers by providing plenty of bright, indirect light. This one likes to be slightly pot-bound and blooms best this way. Repot in spring when it has outgrown its pot. Always use a container with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Divide rhizomes in spring and pot separately. Or take 4-inch (10 cm) leaf tip cuttings with at least one pair of leaves attached and root in moist potting mix. Cover the whole thing with plastic or a glass cloche to hold in moisture. Cuttings root easily in about 4 to 6 weeks.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Kohleria.
Origin
Kohleria amabilis is native to Honduras and Colombia.
Varieties
Links
- Back to genus Kohleria
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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