Ruellia chartacea, Ruellia colorata
ColoramaFamily: Acanthaceae
Origin: Brazil
The most exclusive tropical Christmas flower!
Ruellia colorata, known as Colorama, is a rare and vibrant addition to any exotic container plant collection. Its brilliant scarlet bracts color up just in time for Christmas, staying bright carmine for several months. Native to Brazil, this small plant grows 2-4 feet tall, displaying vivid scarlet bracts and crimson flowers that add a touch of holiday cheer.
One of Colorama's most striking features is its photoperiodic response: the top leaves turn crimson red around Christmas due to changes in daylight length, much like the beloved Poinsettia. After winter, these leaves return to green, keeping the plant lively and versatile year-round. Photoperiodism, the process where plants respond to the length of day and night, triggers changes such as leaf coloration or flowering.
Its blooms are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a favorite for wildlife enthusiasts. Colorama thrives in shady to semi-shady spots and requires regular watering to stay lush and healthy. It's ideal for USDA zones 9-11 but can also be grown in colder regions if protected from frost. For winter care in cooler climates, move it indoors or to a warm area to keep this stunning beauty happy and blooming.
When grown in pots, ensure good drainage, use rich organic soil, and place the plant in a bright location. Prune twice a year to maintain its compact, bushy shape, and fertilize with a flowering fertilizer once established.
Similar plants:
- Ruellia affinis, Ruellia elegans (Red Ruellia, Flower of Caipora, Rio Red Ragin Cajin Ruellia)
- Ruellia devosiana (Brazilian Wild Petunia)
- Ruellia elegans (Red ruellia)
- Ruellia macrantha (Christmas Pride ruellia)
- Ruellia makoyana, Dipteracanthus makoyanus, Dipteracanthus devosianus (Monkey flower, Monkey Plant, Trailing Velvet Plant)
- Ruellia multisetosa, Suessenguthia multisetosa (Columbian Petunia)
- Ruellia nudiflora (Violet Ruellia, Longneck Ruellia )
- Ruellia peninsularis (Desert Ruellia)
- Ruellia portellae (Ruellia)
- Ruellia rosea (Pink Ruellia, Red Ruellia)
Ruellia colorata, known as Colorama, is a rare and vibrant addition to any exotic container plant collection. Its brilliant scarlet bracts color up for Christmas and stay bright carmine for several months.
Native to Brazil, this small plant grows 2-4 feet tall, showcasing brilliant scarlet bracts and crimson flowers that stay bright for months, adding a festive touch of holiday cheer. One of Colorama's most striking features is its photoperiodic response: the top leaves turn crimson red around Christmas due to changes in daylight length, much like the beloved Poinsettia. After winter, these leaves return to green, keeping the plant lively and versatile year-round. Its blooms are a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a favorite for wildlife enthusiasts. Colorama thrives in shady to semi-shady spots and requires regular watering to stay lush and healthy. It's perfect for USDA zones 9-11 but can also be grown in colder regions if protected from frost. For winter care, move it indoors or to a warm area to keep it blooming. When grown in pots, ensure good drainage, use rich organic soil, and place the plant in a bright location. Prune twice a year to maintain a compact, bushy shape, and fertilize with a flowering fertilizer once established.
Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster