Hot Water Plant Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt'
ABOUT
Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', commonly known as the hot water plant, has a striking appearance. It is admired for its beautiful flowers and foliage. The flowers exhibit a rich, velvety texture and are commonly found in shades of purple, with a deep violet being particularly prominent. These funnel-shaped blossoms can create a visually stunning display. The leaves of the hot water plant add to its ornamental appeal, with a lush green color and a slightly hairy or fuzzy texture. They are typically oval-shaped and arranged oppositely along the stems, contributing to a full and vibrant appearance. The contrast between the dark green foliage and the vibrant purple flowers makes the hot water plant a favorite among gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts. Overall, the hot water plant is a charming and colorful plant that can brighten up any garden space or indoor environment with its delightful flowers and attractive greenery. It's a plant that grabs attention with its distinctive blooms and contributes a tropical flair wherever it is grown.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Magic Flower, Cupid's Bower, Hot Water Plant, Mother of Thousands, Orchid Pansy
Common names
Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt'
ToxicityTo humans
The Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', commonly known as Cupid's Bower, is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to humans. There’s limited information available regarding its toxicity, and it is generally not considered to pose a significant risk if ingested. However, as with many plants, it could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort if eaten in large quantities. It's always advisable to exercise caution and keep plants away from young children who might ingest them out of curiosity.
To pets
Cupid's Bower is not well-documented for its effects on pets, and it is largely not associated with severe toxicity. However, pets, particularly cats and dogs, could potentially experience mild digestive upset if they consume this plant. Symptoms may include vomiting or diarrhea, although such symptoms are generally rare. As a precaution, it is prudent to prevent pets from ingesting plants unnecessarily. If you suspect your pet has ingested a significant quantity of Cupid's Bower and is showing signs of illness, consult with a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Central America
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to propagate through rhizomes or cuttings, making it simple for gardeners to expand their collection or share with friends.
- Bright and showy flowers which enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden or indoor space.
- Tolerant to partial shade, providing flexibility in garden placement and suitable for indoor environments with less sunlight.
- Relatively low maintenance, requiring only regular watering and occasional feeding during the growing season.
- Compact growth habit, making it ideal for small spaces or as a potted houseplant.
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies when grown outdoors, supporting local ecosystems.
- Seasonal dormancy allows for a period of rest for the plant, reducing the need for constant care year-round.
- Offers a wide range of colors and hybrids, allowing for personalization and variety in plant displays.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', also known as Hot Water Plant, can be used in terrariums and bottle gardens due to its small size and attractive flowers.
- The Hot Water Plant can serve as a living mulch in garden beds, helping to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- It's an excellent plant for hanging baskets, adding a cascade of color throughout its blooming season.
- In colder climates, the Hot Water Plant can be grown as a seasonal ground cover to provide summer-long blooms before dying back in the winter.
- This plant's striking appearance makes it popular for use in floral arrangements and as a temporary indoor display.
- For educational purposes, the Hot Water Plant can be a great example to teach about rhizomatous plants and their propagation in a classroom or workshop setting.
- Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt' can be used in butterfly gardens to attract pollinators, as its flowers are appealing to various butterfly species.
- As a shade-loving species, it can be utilized to add color and life to shaded walkways or north-facing garden areas that receive limited sunlight.
- It can be used in fantasy-themed gardens to create a 'fairy-tale' look due to its vibrant, intricate flowers and foliage.
- Photographers and artists might grow Hot Water Plant for its photogenic qualities, utilizing it as a subject for botanical art or macro photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Hot Water Plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Hot Water Plant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Persistence: Achimenes, commonly known as 'Hot Water Plant', often blooms continuously throughout its growing season, symbolizing perseverance and determination.
- Resilience: The 'Hot Water Plant' has the ability to bounce back after periods of dormancy, representing the capacity to recover from difficulties.
- Charm and Attraction: With its vibrant flowers and attractive foliage, the 'Hot Water Plant' is often associated with enchanting beauty that draws people in, symbolizing allure and magnetism.
- Warmth and Hospitality: The common name 'Hot Water Plant' suggests a sense of warmth and welcoming, making it a symbol for hospitality in the home or garden.
WaterHot Water Plant requires consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Water the plant thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering approximately once a week. Use lukewarm water to avoid shocking the plant's roots and apply water until it begins to drain from the bottom of the pot, indicating sufficient saturation. Reduce watering in the fall and winter when the plant enters dormancy, perhaps to once every two weeks, depending on the humidity levels in your home. During this period, provide just enough water to keep the soil from completely drying out, using roughly half a gallon for a standard-sized pot every two weeks.
LightHot Water Plant thrives in bright, indirect light. It can be placed near a window that receives this kind of light, but should be protected from harsh midday sun which can scorch the leaves. East or west-facing windows are often ideal spots for this plant as they offer bright light without the intensity of direct south-facing sunlight.
TemperatureThe Hot Water Plant prefers warm temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing the plant in conditions below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, as cold drafts and lower temperatures can be detrimental. Ideally, maintain a consistent temperature within its preferred range, avoiding sudden temperature fluctuations which could stress the plant.
PruningPrune the Hot Water Plant to encourage bushier growth and to remove any withered or dead flowers and leaves. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. You can pinch back the tips of the stems to promote more branching. Prune sparingly, as over-pruning can reduce flowering.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Cupid's Bower should be light, porous, and well-draining with ingredients such as peat moss, perlite and potting compost. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ranging from 6.1 to 7.5.
RepottingCupid's Bower should be repotted every year in spring, as they begin to exit their dormant phase, to refresh the soil and to accommodate growing tubers.
Humidity & MistingCupid's Bower thrives in high humidity conditions, ideally between 60% to 70%, to mimic its native tropical environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Keep in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity.
Outdoor
Protect from direct sun and keep in warm, shaded areas.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', also known as Cupid's Bower, begins with the rhizomatous stage, where the plant's rhizomes, or underground stems, rest dormant usually during winter. During spring, these rhizomes sprout to produce stems and heart-shaped leaves, entering the vegetative growth stage. After several weeks, this is followed by the flowering stage, where vibrant, often velvety flowers bloom, attracting pollinators. Once pollinated, the flowers may produce small seed capsules, although reproduction is more commonly vegetative via the rhizomes. The plants then start to die back to their rhizomes as temperatures drop in the fall, entering a period of dormancy. The cycle restarts when favorable growing conditions return, cueing the rhizomes to break dormancy and initiate new growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method to propagate Achimenes 'Ambroise Verschaffelt', commonly known as the Hot Water Plant, is through its rhizomes, which are a type of underground stem suitable for storage and vegetative reproduction. Propagation is ideally done in the spring as the growing season commences. To propagate, carefully lift the rhizomes from a mature plant after the foliage has died back, which usually occurs in late fall or early winter. Divide the rhizomes by gently separating them, ensuring each section has at least one growth bud. Plant the rhizomes about an inch (about 2.54 centimeters) deep in a potting mix with good drainage. Water the medium and keep it moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright indirect light and warmth to encourage growth. New shoots should appear in a few weeks, signaling the start of a new plant's development.
