Acanthaceae
Ruspolia hypocrateriformis
Red Ruspolia
H
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
Ruspolia hypocrateriformis is a fast-growing, evergreen, scrambling woody shrub with bright green, ovate leaves. It produces pinwheel-shaped flowers that are typically crimson-red, but can also be salmon-pink or orange-red, arranged in spikes and attracting butterflies with their abundant nectar. The fruit consists of dry, explosively splitting capsules.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species is native to Kenyan coastal bushland and thrives in conditions from semi-shade to full sun. It prefers well-drained soils, including loam, and can be used as an ornamental shrub, for small screens, or as ground cover in a Kilifi garden or landscape.
Growing notes
A fairly hardy plant, it establishes quickly and becomes drought tolerant, requiring moderate watering once settled. This shrub can also withstand some light frost.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: nih.gov, wildflowernursery.co.za, wikipedia.org, flowersofindia.net, selinawamucii.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.