Kohleria

These frost-tender perennials are natives of Colombia. They grow from 1 to 3 feet high and have very hairy leaves and flowers. K. warscewiczii has very downy, ovate, dark green leaves. Its tubular flowers are produced in long-stalked clusters in the summer and fall. They are about an inch long with fuzzy, pink and white throats and purple-spotted, green lobes. K. eriantha has oval to lance-shaped dark green leaves edged with red hairs. Its tubular flowers are borne in pendant clusters in the summer. They are brilliant reddish-orange with yellow-spotted lobes.

Pot Cultivation

These plants need a minimum temperature of 60 degrees. They should be grown indoors in cool regions. Plant them in moist potting soil consisting of light loam and leaf mold or peat moss with a bit of sand or crushed charcoal. They should be placed in a sunny or preferably partially shaded position.

Propagation

They may be divided, or seeds may be sown in the spring.

K. eriantha

VARIETIES

K. eriantha; K. warscewiczii.