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Dichorisandra penduliflora

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Stickmannia penduliflora
Phonetic Spelling
dy-kor-i-SAN-drah pen-du-li-FLO-ra
Description

The weeping blue ginger is a perennial often used as a container or houseplant. This species is native to northeast Brazil and is a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). The genus name, Dichorisandra, originated from the Greek words, dis, meaning "two," chori, meaning "separate," and andros, meaning "anther." This refers to the arrangement of the stamens on each flower. Four stamens are upright and two are spreading. The specific epithet, penduliflora, is derived from the Latin words, pendulus, meaning "hanging, and flora, meaning "flowers." This references how the flowers appear on pendulous stems. 

Weeping blue ginger will grow in full sun with afternoon shade, partial shade, and dappled shade. The plant prefers moist, well-drained loamy soils. It is not frost tolerant and is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. It is humidity tolerant and resistant to verticillium wilt. It may be propagated by stem cuttings or division.

The plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. It has drooping stems; the leaves are dark green, glossy, and narrowly elliptic or lanceolate. The undersides of the leaves are pubescent. The small blue flowers appear in clusters, 3-petaled, and bloom throughout the year. 

The flowers attract bees, and in warmer climates this plant would be suitable for a pollinator garden. Consider a container planting for your home for a yearlong display of blue flowers.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, whiteflies, scale, and thrips. Leaf spot, powdery mildew and root rot can occur

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#blue flowers#afternoon shade#dappled shade#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#full sun#pollinator garden#partial shade
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#blue flowers#afternoon shade#dappled shade#bee friendly#container plant#perennial#full sun#pollinator garden#partial shade
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dichorisandra
    Species:
    penduliflora
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northeast Brazil
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers attract bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    verticillium wilt
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are blue, 3-petaled, and measure about 0.5 to 0.75 inches in diameter. They are displayed in clusters on pendulous stems and blooms year-round. On sunny days the flowers close in the afternoon, but on cloudy days they remain open all throughout the day.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are dark green, glossy, narrowly elliptic, and the undersides of the leaves are pubescent. Young leaves may have a purplish hue on the undersides.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    The stems are green, upright, branching with a weeping or pendulous habit.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity