Pink Ear
Falkia repens · Convolvulaceae
📷 Andrew massyn · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Pink ear is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
- Growth type
- Creeping and climbing plant
- Adult height
- 30 cm
- Flowering
- June to September
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Falkia repens covers well-drained soils nicely; plant it on a slight slope and avoid winter waterlogging.
The common mistake
Growing it like a typical moisture-loving plant.
The pro's trick
Pair it with ornamental grasses: they create natural airflow around the stems and reduce fall fungal risks.
Seasonal watch
September/October: watch out for grey mold if you get a very wet autumn.
Care
Exposure
Falkia repens appreciates full sun exposure to flower generously. It tolerates very bright and warm locations, typical of sunny regions. Light shade is accepted but reduces flowering. Install it in a spot protected from strong winds.
Watering
This plant has very low water needs once established. Water moderately during active growth, then reduce drastically in autumn and winter. Let the soil dry between waterings to prevent root rot. In dry climates, a light monthly watering is sufficient.
Soil and drainage
Falkia repens prefers well-draining, light soil that is poor to average. A mixture with sand, ericaceous soil or gravel is ideal for improving drainage. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain moisture.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or diseased stems. This creeping plant can be trained on a small support or left cascading depending on your landscape needs.
Fertilization
Falkia repens only needs light fertilizer during the growing period (spring-summer). Monthly application at reduced dose or a low-nitrogen fertilizer is sufficient. Avoid over-fertilization which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This plant is generally hardy and not very susceptible to diseases. Watch for spider mites in hot, dry climates. Root rot can occur with excessive watering: ensure optimal drainage.
Did you know?
Falkia repens, native to South Africa, belongs to the same family as morning glories and sweet potatoes. Despite this kinship with invasive climbing plants, it remains well-behaved and is an easy-to-grow choice for Mediterranean or arid regions. Its delicate small flowers attract pollinators throughout the summer.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Kidney weedDichondra repens
- Blue rock bindweedConvolvulus sabatius
- SilverbushConvolvulus cneorum
- Field bindweedConvolvulus arvensis
- Hedge bindweedCalystegia sepium
- Convolvulus sepiumConvolvulus sepium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.