How to Grow Temple Bells
iNaturalist
Temple Bells
Smithiantha multiflora
flowerTemple Bells is a tropical houseplant known for its delicate, pendant tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, or white with spotted throats. It produces velvety, heart-shaped foliage and grows from rhizomes, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets and indoor displays. The plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and blooms prolifically when given proper care.
When should you plant Temple Bells in your zone?
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Example Temple Bells timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Temple Bells
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 Temple Bells blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Temple Bells dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Year-round outdoors in zones 10b-11; grown as houseplant elsewhere
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Rhizome Dormancy
2-4 weeksPlanted rhizomes are dormant with minimal visible activity; roots begin developing underground
Keep soil lightly moist, warm (70-75°F), with bright indirect light; do not overwater or allow to dry completely
Sprouting & Foliage Development
3-6 weeksShoots emerge from rhizomes; velvety heart-shaped leaves unfold; plant grows bushy with multiple stems
Increase humidity to 60-75% using pebble trays or humidifier; maintain warm temperatures (70-80°F); feed biweekly with balanced liquid fertilizer
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds form at leaf axils and branch tips; buds appear as small, compact clusters beneath canopy
Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; apply bloom-promoting fertilizer (higher phosphorus); ensure 12+ hours of bright light daily
Flowering
4-8 weeks (with potential re-bloom)Tubular flowers open in succession; blooms are spotted or streaked in throat; flowers pendant or spreading; multiple flush cycles possible
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; maintain humidity and warmth; avoid water on blooms; continue regular feeding
Post-Bloom Rest/Dormancy
4-8 weeksFlowering ceases; foliage may yellow and decline; rhizomes store energy underground; above-ground growth dies back
Gradually reduce watering as foliage declines; stop fertilizing; allow dormancy period of 4-8 weeks; keep rhizomes in cool (55-65°F), dry conditions; resume watering cycle when new shoots emerge
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity to 70%+ with misting and pebble trays; spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or miticide if severe; isolate affected plants
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Remove with damp cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply insecticidal soap; treat weekly until clear
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation; isolate plant
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Reduce soil moisture; allow top inch to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) to soil
Uses
Ornamental display
CulinaryNot consumed; grown purely for ornamental value and visual beauty in interior spaces and conservatories. [source]
Indoor decoration
HouseholdPopular hanging basket specimen for living rooms, bathrooms, and shelves; adds tropical ambiance and air-purifying qualities to indoor environments. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
CraftDelicate tubular flowers can be used in small floral arrangements, though flowers last only 1-2 days when cut; mostly valued for potted display. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeTubular flowers attract hummingbirds and small insects in outdoor tropical settings; provides nectar source for pollinators. [source]
Harvest Tips
Deadhead spent flowers by pinching them off at the base to encourage longer bloom cycles and bushier growth; cut back foliage after flowering ceases if dormancy is desired; collect and dry seeds from mature flowers if propagation is planned
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Temple Bells produces flowers in rapid succession over several weeks, with new blooms opening as older ones fade, creating an extended flowering display.
- 🌱 The velvety texture of Smithiantha leaves is caused by fine hairs on the leaf surface; water beads up on these hairs rather than being absorbed, which is why watering at soil level is essential to prevent leaf spotting.
- 🌱 This plant is named after James Smithian, a botanist, and the genus contains about 6 species native to Mexican cloud forests, where they grow in humid, shaded understory conditions.
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