Gynura

Family Asteraceae. Native to the tropics of Africa, Madagascar, East and South Asia. About 100 species occur in nature. Only two species have become widespread as houseplants.

Orange gynura - Gynura aurantiaca - a perennial herbaceous plant with an erect, well-branched stem, reaching 50-90 cm in height. Leaves are alternate, ovate in shape, with a serrated margin, up to 15 cm long. The stem and leaves are covered with fine purple hairs; in bright light the whole plant appears purple. Flowers are small, gathered in orange-capitulum inflorescences.

Trailing gynura - Gynura sarmentosa - this plant is very similar to the previous species. However its stems are pendent, the plant reaches no more than 60 cm in height, leaves are smaller - up to 7 cm long.



Temperature: In summer normal room temperatures, but preferably not above 22 °C, or the plant can be placed on a tray with water. In winter gynuras do well at 16-18 °C, minimum 15 °C.

Lighting: Gynuras are very light-loving; they require ample sunlight.

Watering: In summer water abundantly; in winter moderately. The soil should not dry out completely.

Air humidity: Gynuras prefer humid air, so they can be placed on wide trays with water or occasionally misted, but not while the plant is in direct sunlight.

Fertilizers: From May to September, feed every three to four weeks with a liquid balanced fertilizer for houseplants.

Repotting: Repot gynuras annually. Soil: 1 part clay-loam turf, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part humus, 1 part peat and 1/2 part coarse river sand.

Propagation: Gynura propagates well from cuttings both in spring and summer.