Home

Strange Wonderful Things

 Rare and exotic plants

Turquoise Puya

Moussonia elegans

This is a rare look at the elegant Moussonia elegans!  This beautiful Gesneriad comes from the cool mountains of Mexico, where it forms a large, attractive bush about 5 feet tall and wide.  Its orangey-red blossoms are 1½ inches long and usually appear in umbels of 4 all over the plant.  Even without blooms it is very attractive, with oversized, fuzzy leaves and reddish stems.  I have no information on whether it will thrive in warm conditions.  The plant is very rare in cultivation, and fresh seeds are rarely seen for sale.

Moussonia elegans

The leaves of this evergreen shrub have a nice, soft texture, like felt.  This is a vigorous species and has a long blooming season, with flowers appearing almost all year.  The flaring, tubular blooms are sort of a salmon-scarlet color, with yellow & red inside the throat.  They are suspended outward beyond the leaves by long, reddish stems.  The blooms are pollinated by hummingbirds and insects.

Moussonia elegans

It thrives here in San Francisco, where temperatures are usually below 80°F, and nights are cool.  It might tolerate hotter conditions if nights are cool, but i suspect it won't be happy if nights are warm (over 65°F / 18°C).  It has handled winter lows in the mid-30s (2°C), but it might not survive frost, so i would bring it indoors when temperatures approach freezing.  It grows well in a pot in fertile, well-draining soil that is kept evenly moist.  Since it comes from the forest understory, it prefers filtered sunlight or bright shade.  Protect it from strong afternoon sun.  Over about 40% humidity is probably a good idea.  In the right conditions, it is an easy and very decorative plant.

Moussonia elegans

Moussonia elegans

Check availability

 

Germination tips for this plant

 

Home

Strange Wonderful Things

Rare and exotic plants

Turquoise Puya

Entire site Copyright 2003-2023 by Strange Wonderful Things, except as noted