How to Grow Smithiantha 'Red King'
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Smithiantha 'Red King'
Smithiantha multiflora 'Red King'
flowerSmithiantha 'Red King' is a striking tropical houseplant known for its velvety, burgundy-red foliage and delicate tubular flowers. This rhizomatous plant produces tall spikes of warm-colored blooms that attract hummingbirds and add dramatic color to indoor gardens. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and makes an excellent specimen plant for collectors seeking something beyond common houseplants.
When should you plant Smithiantha 'Red King' in your zone?
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Example Smithiantha 'Red King' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Smithiantha 'Red 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 'Red King' blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Smithiantha 'Red King' dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 11-12; grown as a tender perennial houseplant elsewhere, dormant October-January
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Dormancy/Rest
October-January, 3-4 monthsPlant dies back to ground level after frost or in late autumn; rhizomes remain dormant in soil or stored in cool, dry location
Stop watering; store rhizomes at 50-55°F in dry peat moss or sand; maintain cool conditions to break dormancy; do not disturb rhizomes
Sprouting
2-3 weeksNew shoots emerge from rhizomes; small reddish leaves unfurl; delicate stems begin reaching upward
Begin watering when shoots appear; gradually increase moisture; provide warm temperatures (65-70°F minimum); increase humidity; provide 12+ hours of bright indirect light
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksVelvety, deep burgundy-red foliage expands; plant produces multiple stems and side shoots; stem height increases rapidly; leaves develop distinctive texture and dark coloring
Maintain consistent moisture; feed weekly with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer; mist foliage regularly to increase humidity (70%+); maintain warm temperatures (70-78°F); rotate pot for even growth
Flowering
6-8 weeks per flowering cycleTall flower spikes emerge from leaf axils; tubular blooms open progressively along the spike in shades of red, orange, or coral; flowers attract hummingbirds; plant reaches full ornamental value
Continue regular watering and feeding; maintain humidity; provide consistent temperatures; stake tall spikes if needed; remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; enjoy for 2-3 months
Decline/Senescence
3-4 weeksFlowering slows; foliage quality diminishes; plant prepares for dormancy; stems weaken
Gradually reduce watering in late summer/fall; reduce fertilizer frequency; lower temperatures to trigger dormancy; maintain bright light; prepare to transition to rest period
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Isolate plant; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dab with 70% isopropyl alcohol on cotton swab; repeat weekly until resolved
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Increase humidity; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; remove heavily infested leaves; yellow sticky traps to monitor population
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Increase humidity to 70%+ (prevents infestation); spray with neem oil; mist foliage regularly; isolate affected plants
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Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; add sand layer on top of soil; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti if severe
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Yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate plant; repeat treatments every 7-10 days
Uses
No culinary use
CulinarySmithiantha is purely ornamental and not edible. [source]
Indoor ornamental display
HouseholdGrown as a houseplant for its stunning velvety burgundy foliage and vibrant tubular flowers; ideal for terrariums, shade gardens, or warm indoor spaces seeking tropical ambiance. [source]
Cut flowers and arrangements
CraftThe tall, graceful flower spikes are excellent for tropical-themed floral arrangements and cut flower displays, adding vertical interest and warm color to bouquets. [source]
Hummingbird attraction
WildlifeThe tubular red and orange flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, making this plant valuable for encouraging these pollinators in indoor spaces or warm climates. [source]
Limited traditional use
MedicinalNo significant medicinal applications; however, related Gesneriaceae species have been used in traditional medicine, but Smithiantha is primarily valued ornamentally. [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 'Red King' is not harvested; rather, it's grown for ornamental enjoyment. Cut flower spikes for arrangements once they've opened several flowers; blooms last 1-2 weeks in water. Allow some flower spikes to remain on plant for continuous blooming. After flowering ends and plant enters dormancy, carefully dig and store rhizomes in cool, dry conditions through winter, or divide rhizomes in spring before replanting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Smithiantha 'Red King' is named for its striking deep red foliage, which intensifies with bright light exposure and cooler night temperatures, creating a dramatic contrast with the vibrant flower spikes.
- 🌱 The plant is a member of the African Violet family (Gesneriaceae) but is native to Mexico and Central America, not Africa; it thrives in humid, warm conditions similar to tropical cloud forests.
- 🌱 Rhizomes can be divided in early spring to propagate new plants; a single mature rhizome can produce multiple stems, making division an excellent way to create specimens or share with other plant enthusiasts.
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