Columnea gloriosa

Columnea are gesneriads from Central and South America, with epiphytic and mostly hanging growth and often very large, spectacular flowers.

Columnea gloriosa is one of the best-known and most spectacular species. It originates from Central America. It has small leaves, approximately 2 to 5 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide, densely covered with purple hairs. The leaf itself is dark green. This combination of colors makes the leaves appear very dark, almost black. The leaves are borne on hanging stems that can reach up to 2 meters in length. The stems branch little, if at all. New stems usually emerge only from the base of the plant. This eventually results in a growth pattern resembling a curtain of pearls. Against this dark background, the up to 10 cm large, red flowers with yellow throats are particularly striking.

This is the true Columnea gloriosa , not the similar C. microphylla with even smaller and less hairy leaves!



You will receive a young plant with several stems in a 7cm pot. The leaves of the young shoots are not as hairy and are a lighter green color!

The plant only develops its typical coloration later and under good conditions (see "Care")