Weeping Blue Ginger Dichorisandra penduliflora

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