Goldfussia
Strobilanthes anisophylla · Acanthaceae
📷 Montréalais · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Goldfussia is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Type
- Herbaceous
- Adult height
- 150 cm
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- August to October
- Origin
- Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar)
- Hardiness
- Warm climate plant, sensitive to cold
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Strobilanthes anisophylla is a tropical-temperate shrub that grows fast and flowers late (August-September): at -5°C, it may die back at the surface but will regrow from the base in spring. Expect fresh growth each year.
The common mistake
Expecting it to survive winter intact north of -5°C: this is a young plant that regrows from the roots, not a perennial shrub.
The pro's trick
In cold climates, grow it in a pot and move it under shelter before frost, or let it freeze and cut it back to ground level in April for vigorous new growth.
Seasonal watch
August-September: peak flowering season, its small blue-mauve flowers attract bees.
Care
Light
Place your strobilanthes in part shade, away from direct afternoon sun rays which would scorch its delicate foliage. Filtered, airy light promotes beautiful growth and generous flowering. Avoid prolonged darkness which would slow vegetation.
Watering
Keep the substrate moist but not waterlogged during the growing and flowering period (spring-autumn). Water regularly without allowing water to stagnate at the bottom of the pot. In winter, slightly reduce watering while avoiding complete drying out.
Soil and substrate
Use rich, well-draining potting soil, slightly acidic to neutral, enriched with organic matter (compost, peat). A light, airy mix promotes rooting and limits risks of root rot.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer during the growing period (April to September) every two to three weeks. Reduce or stop feeding in winter to respect the plant's dormancy.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, branched shape. Remove faded flowers to extend blooming. Rejuvenating pruning every two to three years restores vigor to the plant.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and whiteflies in dry air. Excess stagnant humidity can promote powdery mildew or rot. Favor good air circulation and avoid repeated leaf wetting.
Did you know?
The strobilanthes has been prized by Southeast Asian gardeners for centuries for its highly ornamental marbled foliage. Its scientific name "anisophylla" literally means "unequal-leaved," referring to the slight size difference between the two leaves of the same pair, a typical characteristic of Acanthaceae.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.