Butterfly Flower Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade', commonly known as butterfly flower or poor man's orchid, is a striking plant that is cherished for its ornate and colorful appearance. The butterfly flower has intricately patterned blossoms that exhibit a range of colors, often showcasing vivid hues like purples, pinks, reds, whites, and yellows. These colors can be solid or may appear in gradients and patterns, with common features including speckles, spots, and streaks that add to the complexity and beauty of each flower. The petals of the butterfly flower are delicate and plentiful, often resembling the wings of a butterfly, which is how the plant gets its charming common name. The blooms are arranged in a complex, fern-like fashion with each individual flower contributing to a larger, lacy canopy of color. Each flower is comprised of three lower lobes and two upper lobes, giving them a somewhat asymmetrical look that adds to their whimsical charm. Leafy foliage provides a lush backdrop to these attention-grabbing flowers. The leaves are typically fern-like, too, and they are finely divided with an airy and feathery texture, which adds to the plant's overall delicate and ethereal appearance. The leaves are usually a bright green color, creating a fresh contrast that further accentuates the vibrancy of the blooms. Together, the colorful blooms and feathery leaves create a visually stunning display that can capture the admiration of garden enthusiasts and onlookers alike. The butterfly flower's unique blend of colors and patterns can vary widely among different individuals of the same species, making each plant a distinctive and enchanting addition to any garden setting.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Butterfly Flower, Fringeflower, Poor Man's Orchid, Angel Wings.
- Common names
  Schizanthus pinnatus.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Schizanthus pinnatus, commonly known as Butterfly Flower, is not widely regarded as a toxic plant to humans. There is limited information available on its toxicity, and it generally isn't associated with poisoning upon ingestion. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities could exist, and it is always advisable to avoid eating plants not known to be safe for consumption. If ingestion does occur and symptoms appear, it is wise to seek medical attention.
- To pets
  Butterfly Flower is not typically listed as a toxic plant to pets either, such as dogs and cats. There is minimal information suggesting that Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade' causes adverse effects upon ingestion. Nonetheless, pets might have individual sensitivities or reactions to plants, and the general recommendation is to prevent pets from consuming non-food plants. If any part of the plant is ingested by a pet and signs of illness are observed, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  Chile

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: Adds a splash of vibrant colors to the garden with its intricately patterned, butterfly-like flowers.
- Extended Blooming: Offers a long flowering period from spring to summer, providing visual interest over multiple seasons.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites pollinating insects such as bees and butterflies to the garden, aiding in the pollination of other plants.
- Easy to Grow: Known for being relatively easy to cultivate, making it a good choice for novice gardeners.
- Versatility: Suitable for planting in flower beds, borders, containers, and as a colorful addition to cottage gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, needing only regular watering and occasional feeding.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of low water, making it suitable for drier climates or water-wise gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Photography Prop: Schizanthus, with its vibrant colors and unique patterns, can become a focal point in macro or garden photography, adding visual interest and a touch of whimsy.
- Illustration Subject: Artists may use the intricate details of the Schizanthus flowers as inspiration or a real-life model for botanical illustrations and watercolor paintings.
- Educational Tool: Schizanthus can be used in botany classes to illustrate the characteristics of the Solanaceae family or the concept of bilateral symmetry in flowers.
- Garden Design: Because of its upright habit and feathery foliage, the Schizanthus plant can be used to create a sense of lightness and height in garden beds or borders.
- Theme Gardens: Schizanthus fits well into fairy or fantasy-themed gardens due to its fanciful appearance, often reminiscent of miniature orchids or butterflies.
- Textile Patterns: The distinctive patterns of Schizanthus petals can inspire textile designs for fabrics used in fashion or home decor.
- Greeting Cards: The bright and cheerful demeanor of Schizanthus makes it a popular choice for imagery on greeting cards, especially for spring and summer occasions.
- Origami Inspiration: The intricate and delicate shape of the Schizanthus flower can offer a complex challenge for origami artists looking to create lifelike paper flowers.
- Color Palettes: The diverse and vivid colors of Schizanthus blooms can be used by designers and artists to create color palettes for various visual projects.
- Plant Combinations: Schizanthus is great for pairing with other plants in container gardens, especially when aiming to create arrangements with contrasting textures and forms.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant_name is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant_name is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Ephemeral Beauty: Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade', also known as Butterfly Flower, often symbolizes transient beauty due to its delicate and ornate blossoms that somewhat resemble butterfly wings but have a short bloom time.
- Whimsy and Lightness: The Butterfly Flower embodies a sense of playfulness and grace, akin to the light and whimsical nature of butterflies fluttering in a garden.
- Illusion: Given its unique floral structure that can trick one into seeing a butterfly instead of a flower, the Butterfly Flower also represents the concept of illusion or the idea that things aren't always as they appear.
- Hidden Talents: With its intricate petals and complex appearance, the Butterfly Flower suggests that there is more to something than meets the eye, often symbolizing undiscovered talents or hidden skills.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Butterfly Flower (Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade'), water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, which typically means once or twice a week, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. It's essential to water evenly across the soil until you see excess water draining from the bottom of the container, but be cautious not to let the plant sit in standing water. An approximate guideline is to provide half a gallon every watering session for a medium-sized pot, but this may vary based on pot size and environmental factors. Overwintering plants will require less water, so reduce the frequency as the plant goes dormant.
Light
Butterfly Flower thrives best in bright, indirect light or partial shade. The ideal spot is one where the plant receives filtered sunlight for most of the day without direct exposure during the harsh midday sun, which could lead to leaf burn. East or west-facing windows are usually the most suitable indoor locations for this plant.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for the Butterfly Flower is between 60°F and 75°F. It is a cool-weather plant that can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F but should be protected from frost. During the growing season, maintain consistent temperatures within this range for optimal health and flowering.
Pruning
Pruning the Butterfly Flower helps maintain its shape and encourages bushier growth and more blooms. Snip off faded or dead flowers regularly to stimulate new buds. Perform light pruning in the early spring or after the blooming period has finished to keep the plant tidy and to remove any spent or damaged stems.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Poor Man's Orchid thrives in a well-draining, loamy soil mix with added organic matter. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH of around 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
Repotting
Poor Man's Orchid should be repotted every year in the spring to refresh the soil and accommodate growth.
Humidity & Misting
Poor Man's Orchid prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40-70%.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.
- Outdoor
  Place in dappled light, protect from strong winds.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade', also known as Poor Man's Orchid, begins its life cycle as a seed which, when provided with suitable conditions of moisture and temperature, will germinate and sprout. The seedling then develops into a young plant with a rosette of leaves at the base, gradually producing a taller stem. As it grows, Schizanthus 'Hit Parade' produces intricately patterned and colorful flowers that attract pollinators, accomplishing its reproductive phase. After pollination, flowers form seed pods that mature and eventually release seeds for the next generation. The plant is typically an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one growing season, from germination to seed production, after which the plant usually dies off. In temperate climates, gardeners may need to plant new seeds annually, or the plant may self-seed if conditions allow.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: Schizanthus pinnatus 'Hit Parade', commonly known as poor man's orchid, is best propagated by seed. The ideal time to propagate is in spring when the danger of frost has passed, and the soil has begun to warm. To propagate, sow the seeds directly into well-draining soil in a sunny to partly shaded area. Cover the seeds lightly with soil as they need light for germination. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and germination should occur within 10 to 20 days. Thin the seedlings once they develop their first set of true leaves, spacing them about 8 inches (approximately 20 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growth. This method is favored for its simplicity and the ability to produce a large number of plants relatively quickly.