Stunning bicoloured yellow and mauve-flowering houseplant. Position: partial shade Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil or fibre-based compost if grown indoors Rate of growth: average Flowering period: March to November Hardiness: tender (will need to be over-wintered indoors, or in a shaded greenhouse) Relatively large, bicoloured flowers often appear over many months (typically from early spring to late autumn), on this easy to grow house plant. It makes a great gift, and because it will last much longer than a freshly cut bouquet of flowers, it also offers great value for money! Home care: Throughout the growing season, keep them quite well watered, but as they are sensitive to overwatering, allow the compost to get a little dry in between; during this time they should also be fed with a high potash fertiliser. Remove spent flowers as they fade and trim back any old leaves that are past their best. Overwinter on a south or west-facing windowsill and water less often. Repot each spring into a slightly larger, shallow pot filled with fibre-based compost. They can also be used as summer bedding - grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade.
