Genus · Acanthaceae
Strobilanthes
2 species tracked in Horta’s catalog, and the named cultivars growers keep. Walk down to a species for its full care record, or into a cultivar for its traits and provenance.
Species in this genus
The ones growers meet most — each links to its own page.
Strobilanthes alternata
Red Ivy
A subshrub in the Acanthaceae from the warm, humid Maluku islands, this plant favors steady warmth and bright indirect light, with its colorful foliage tending to fade in deep shade. Water when the top inch of mix has dried, keeping it lightly moist but never soggy, as the roots will rot if left wet. It tolerates average household humidity but will look fuller where air is a touch more humid.
Strobilanthes auriculata
Persian Shield
A subshrub of warm, monsoonal South and Southeast Asian foothills, this Strobilanthes wants warmth and bright indirect light rather than harsh direct sun. It prefers steady, even moisture through its growing season but resents sitting wet, so water when the top inch of mix has dried, letting the surface approach dryness between drinks. In drier indoor air it may flag at the leaf tips; a little extra humidity helps, though average home conditions are usually adequate.
About the genus
A genus-level overview — shared traits, history, the botany that ties these plants together — is on its way. For now, the species and cultivars above and below carry the genus.
Kept true by its growers
Strobilanthes keeps evolving — species move, cultivars appear, IDs get corrected. If you can place an unplaced plant or add a species we’re missing, the whole genus gets truer.
Overview derived from 2 tracked species · the contribute flow arrives with the next slice.