Aeschynanthus is part of the Gesneriaceae family and the native range of the species is S. China to Tropical Asia where they grow as epiphytes on host trees in tropical forests.
Leaves tend to be fleshy with smooth leaf margins and arranged in opposite pairs. Flowers are pink and tubular in shape and surrounded by a tubular calyx (an outer covering of the petals) and grow in clusters at the ends of the stems.
Aeschynanthus comes from the Greek words ‘aischune’ meaning shame and ‘anthos’ meaning flower; possibly a reference to a blushing flower.
Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.
Water: Allow the first 2-3 inches of mix to dry out. Before watering, ensure the substrate isn’t compacted, if it is, aerate it with a few pokes of a skewer or blunt stick, pour water slowly over the top and allow the water to pass through the drainage holes.
Potting mix: A well draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark, sphagnum moss, worm castings and horticultural charcoal.
Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.
Temperature: Ideally 18-24°C. Temperatures below 10˚C will cause leaf drop.
Humidity: Aeschynanthus do better in higher humidity but do well to adapt to average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray or using a humidifier.
Aeschynanthus are non-toxic.