Columnea sanguinea—Columnea Species Seeds

These seeds were collected from one of my mature Columnea sanguinea plants. I've been growing this plant for nearly a decade now and oldest one has almost reached 6 feet in length. It began as an upright plant in a small container that I purchased at a Mt Hood Gesneriad Society sale. It grew slowly for a few years, but then suddenly one spring it was very long and I had to move it into a hanging planter. (Since then it’s lost some length, but it continues to grow well.)

While still in a large container, it spilled berries into a container beneath it and for one year I had a nice accidental crop. If I'd known then what they were, I wouldn't have lost so many of them, but I saved a few, and shared them with others in my Gesneriad Society chapter.

These plants were included in the Amazon Spheres in plantings—at least they were years ago when I visited. I’m happy to tell you that you will not need a green wall or anything too fancy to grow indoors. I’ve grown mine as houseplants for over a decade now, but I did get better growth from them after letting plants summer over outdoors in the shade. The plants have thrived with this arrangement, and I’ve loved looking at their leaves above me when I’m in the hammock. Their red markings are only seen from below, and they let hummingbirds know where their inconspicuous flowers are so they can pollinate them.

Germination instructions are included with your seeds. These are very easy to germinate.

Basic Plant Facts:

Columnea sanguinea

Grows up to 6’ but will take a LONG time.

Likes indirect sun indoors, shade on summer patio

USDA zones: N/A