How to Grow Smithiantha 'Golden King'
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Smithiantha 'Golden King'
Smithiantha × hybrid 'Golden King'
flowerSmithiantha 'Golden King' is a stunning hybrid plant from the Gesneriaceae family, prized for its velvety, heart-shaped foliage and delicate tubular flowers in shades of golden yellow and red. This tropical houseplant produces an elegant cascade of blooms and is highly valued by indoor gardeners for its ornamental foliage and long flowering season. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and makes an excellent choice for terrariums, hanging baskets, and indoor displays.
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Example Smithiantha 'Golden King' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Smithiantha 'Golden King'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Smithiantha 'Golden King' blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10b-11 outdoors; best grown as a houseplant in all other zones
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Rhizome Dormancy
2-3 monthsDormant rhizomes are stored, appearing as small, scaly tubers with visible growth points
Store rhizomes in cool (50-60°F), dry conditions over winter. Check periodically for rot. Begin watering and warmth in early spring to break dormancy.
Sprouting & Early Growth
3-4 weeksFirst shoots emerge from rhizomes; small leaves unfurl with distinctive bronze or mottled patterns
Maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F), high humidity (60%+), and bright indirect light. Keep soil consistently moist. Begin light feeding with diluted fertilizer.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops full rosette of velvety, textured foliage with reddish stems and burgundy undersides; plant becomes bushy
Maintain humidity with pebble trays or humidifier. Pinch growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Continue consistent moisture and indirect light. Feed every 2 weeks with balanced fertilizer.
Flowering
8-12 weeksDelicate tubular flowers in golden yellow with red spotting or striping appear on upright inflorescences above foliage; successive blooms continue over weeks
Maintain warm temperatures (68-75°F) and high humidity. Do not allow soil to dry completely. Ensure excellent air circulation to prevent fungal issues. Continue fertilizing every 2 weeks with bloom-promoting formula.
Post-Bloom & Dormancy Preparation
4-6 weeksFlowers fade and foliage gradually yellows and dies back; plant becomes dormant as photoperiod decreases
Gradually reduce watering as growth slows. Stop fertilizing. Lower temperatures to 50-60°F to encourage dormancy. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings. Store rhizomes when foliage is completely brown.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; wipe affected areas with 70% isopropyl alcohol on cotton swab; isolate plant from others
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Increase humidity; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe; ensure adequate air circulation
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Remove affected foliage; use sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 5-7 days
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly; use yellow sticky traps; apply sand top-dressing; reduce watering frequency
Uses
Non-edible ornamental
CulinarySmithiantha is not consumed and is toxic if ingested in large quantities. It is grown exclusively for ornamental display. [source]
Indoor decoration & houseplant display
HouseholdThe velvety textured foliage with burgundy undersides and elegant golden-red flowers make this plant an exceptional indoor decorator. Perfect for bright bathrooms, vitrines, terrariums, and greenhouse displays. [source]
Floral arrangements & cut flowers
CraftThe delicate tubular flowers, while modest in stem length, are prized by floral designers for adding textural interest and exotic appeal to fresh arrangements and terrarium compositions. [source]
Hummingbird and pollinator attraction
WildlifeIn frost-free climates, Smithiantha's tubular flowers attract hummingbirds and small bees. Indoors, it provides visual interest but does not support pollinator populations. [source]
Gesneriaceae ethnobotany
MedicinalWhile Smithiantha itself is not widely used medicinally, other genera in the Gesneriaceae family have been explored in traditional medicine. This plant is valued primarily as an ornamental. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Smithiantha is an ornamental plant grown for flowers and foliage, not harvested in the traditional sense. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Cut flowers can be used in fresh arrangements; stems are relatively short but graceful. After final blooms, allow plant to naturally die back to encourage rhizome dormancy and next year's flowering.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Smithiantha is named after James Smithian, an 18th-century botanist, and the genus contains some of the most velvety-leaved plants in cultivation, with leaves that feel like soft fabric.
- 🌱 'Golden King' is a hybrid cultivar likely derived from crossing Smithiantha zebrina with other Smithiantha species to achieve its distinctive golden-red flower coloration and vigorous growth.
- 🌱 Unlike most houseplants, Smithiantha enters a true dormancy period, dying back completely to its rhizome during winter—this is not a sign of failure but a natural cycle that must occur for the plant to bloom again the following season.
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