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How to Grow Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem'

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Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem'

Achimenes × hybridus 'Scarlet Gem'

flower

A compact, tender rhizomatous perennial in the Gesneriaceae family, prized for its vibrant scarlet-red flowers with ruffled petals and golden throats. 'Scarlet Gem' is a dwarf cultivar reaching 8-12 inches tall, making it ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and indoor cultivation. This tropical plant produces abundant blooms from summer through fall with proper care.

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Example Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem' blooms

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Achimenes 'Scarlet Gem' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Bright, indirect light; 12-14 hours daily recommended. Avoid direct afternoon sun which can scorch foliage.
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged during growing season. Water when top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in fall. Use lukewarm water to avoid shocking rhizomes. High humidity (50-70%) promotes vigor.
📏
Spacing: 6-8 inches apart in containers; 4-6 inches for hanging baskets inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-45 days to first flowers from active growth
🌱
Planting depth: Plant rhizomes 1/2 inch deep, about 1.5 inches apart in starter pots

Soil

Type: Light, well-draining, fertile potting mix with high organic matter content
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Perlite or pumice for drainage Peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention Compost or aged bark for nutrients Orchid bark to improve aeration

Growing Zones

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Zones 10b-11 outdoors; grown as a tender annual or houseplant in zones 3-10

10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy & Rhizome Activation

2-4 weeks

Rhizomes stored dry over winter begin sprouting when placed in warm, moist soil in spring.

Store dormant rhizomes in cool, dry place (50-60°F) over winter. Start rhizomes indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide bottom heat (70-75°F) to encourage sprouting.

2

Seedling & Early Growth

3-4 weeks

Small shoots emerge from rhizomes, developing first true leaves. Roots establish in the potting medium.

Maintain warm, humid conditions (70-75°F). Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright indirect light. Begin feeding with dilute liquid fertilizer once true leaves appear.

3

Vegetative Growth

4-6 weeks

Foliage expands with glossy, slightly hairy leaves arranged opposite on branching stems. Plant becomes fuller and more bushy.

Pinch back stem tips to encourage branching and bushier growth. Maintain 70-75°F temperatures. Increase humidity through misting or pebble trays. Feed weekly with balanced, diluted fertilizer.

4

Flowering

8-14 weeks

Abundant scarlet-red trumpet or funnel-shaped flowers with golden-yellow centers appear in leaf axils. Flowers have ruffled petal margins.

Maintain consistent moisture and high humidity. Continue weekly feeding with lower-nitrogen fertilizer to promote blooming. Remove spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Keep room temperature 65-75°F.

5

Senescence & Dormancy

4-8 weeks

As temperatures cool and day length decreases in fall, flowering slows. Foliage yellows and stems die back gradually.

Reduce watering gradually as plant goes dormant. Stop fertilizing. Allow foliage to completely die back. Store dormant rhizomes in dry peat moss or sand at 50-60°F until spring.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

African violets Begonias Fuchsias Gloxinia Episcia Columnea Streptocarpus

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring dry conditions Cacti and succulents Plants sensitive to humid, warm environments

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, isolate affected plants. Use neem oil or miticide if severe. Avoid using sulfur products which damage achimenes foliage.

  • Remove with cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until controlled. Quarantine new plants.

  • Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and control. Spray insecticidal soap or horticultural oil weekly. Increase air circulation.

  • Improve air circulation and reduce leaf wetness. Remove affected flowers/leaves immediately. Apply copper fungicide if necessary. Avoid overhead watering.

  • Use sterile, well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering and waterlogging. Ensure good drainage in containers. Remove diseased rhizomes immediately.

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

Achimenes flowers are non-toxic and can be used as garnish for desserts, drinks, and salads, adding vibrant scarlet color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor to culinary presentations. [source]

🏠

Indoor Ornamental Display

Household

Ideal for windowsills, hanging baskets, and enclosed patios where its compact habit and prolific scarlet blooms create season-long color indoors or in protected outdoor spaces. [source]

🎨

Cut Flower Arrangements

Craft

Though short-lived when cut, the striking scarlet flowers with golden centers add dramatic color to small floral arrangements, corsages, and wedding bouquets when combined with foliage like ferns or ivy. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Some Achimenes species have been used in traditional Central American and South American herbalism for minor stomach complaints and digestive support, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Achimenes flowers attract hummingbirds and bees indoors and outdoors, supporting pollinator populations when grown on porches or in sunrooms with accessible flowers. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest flowers individually by pinching off spent blooms at the base just below the calyx. This encourages continuous flowering throughout the season. Cut flowers can be placed in shallow water for short-term display (1-2 days). Deadheading is the primary maintenance task rather than 'harvest' in the traditional sense. Do not harvest foliage; allow the plant to photosynthesize. To collect seeds, allow some flowers to develop seed pods; harvest when pods dry and brown.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Achimenes' derives from the Greek words 'a' (not) and 'cheimaino' (to suffer from cold), reflecting the plant's frost-tender nature and tropical origin from Mexico and Central America.
  • 🌱 Achimenes rhizomes are unique among houseplants—they can be stored completely dry over winter like bulbs, then awakened with heat and moisture, making them excellent for seasonal growers.
  • 🌱 'Scarlet Gem' is a hybrid cultivar (Achimenes × hybridus), bred for its compact dwarf growth and abundant, reliable flowering, making it more floriferous than many wild species.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Perennial pH Pinch Back True Leaves
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