Achimenes

Flowers are one of the parts of the plants that most attract our attention. There are many shapes, types and colors, and there are many that give off a very pleasant smell. One of the most popular is the one belonging to the genus Achimenes.

They have tubular or funnel-shaped flowers of very diverse colors. In addition, they resist the cold somewhat, so what are you waiting for to meet them?

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonists are herbaceous plants with scaly rhizomes originating from Mexico and Central America that belong to the botanical genus Achimenes, which is composed of 101 species. They have erect or decumbent and branched stems, with alternate leaves with serrated margin. The flowers are grouped in axillary inflorescences, with two or three in each one, white, red or lilac. These are shaped like a tube or funnel, with a basal sac at the top. The fruit is a dry capsule, with a conical apex.

They grow to a height of 30 to 40 centimeters, so they can be kept both in pots and in the garden.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy of Achimenes, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location: they must be outdoors, in semi-shade or in full sun.
Land:
- Pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
- Garden: the soil must be well drained and fertile.
Watering: 4-5 times a week in summer, and every 5-6 days the rest of the year. Use if possible rainwater or lime-free.
Subscriber: from the beginning of spring to the end of summer with specific fertilizers for flowering plants, following the indications specified on the packaging.
Planting or transplanting time: in spring.
Rusticity: they resist up to -2º degrees centigrade.