I wanted to introduce Achimenes to you (or perhaps reintroduce, since you may have grown them before). Often called the Hot Water Plant, even though they don't actually require hot water, Achimenes were first mentioned in A History of Jamaica in 1756 and became exceptionally popular during the Victorian period, with lots of new introductions by commercial growers across Europe. They saw a resurgence in popularity during the mid-20th century, only to fade in favour once more. We have an exciting selection of varieties and aim to revive their popularity through our Bring Back Colour to Houseplants initiative!
Achimenes are part of the same family as Streptocarpus and the shape of the flower in some varieties is very similar.
Unlike Streptocarpus, Achimenes are winter dormant and die back to the rhizomes (see photo below). These can be stored and planted now in a warm room.
Most varieties will start flowering after about 3 months of good growth and will continue blooming for the rest of the summer. When in full growth, never allow the pots to dry out completely.
