Sanchezia nobilis (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Spring and autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1.8m
Eventual Spread: 1.8m
Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11, 12, 13
Family: Acanthaceae
Sanchezia nobilis is an evergreen tropical shrub, although at the lower end of its hardiness it will lose its leaves during the winter months. Its mid green leaves have distinctive yellow veining, are ovate with entire margins, up to 40cm long and 15cm across. Its orange flowers are up to 5cm long and appear as long spikes with red bracts.
Sanchezia nobilis, commonly known as Sanchezia or Fire Fingers, is native to north South America.
The etymological root of the binomial name Sanchezia is named after Jose Sanchez , a 19th century Spanish botanist. Nobilis is from the Latin meaning ‘noble’.
The landscape architect may find Sanchezia nobilis useful as a specimen houseplant with attractive foliage, suitable for a bright location.
Sanchezia nobilis Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Sanchezia nobilis is of little value to UK wildlife.
Sanchezia nobilis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
When maintaining Sanchezia nobilis as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 16ºc to 24ºc, it will tolerate temperatures as low as 0ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. Red Spider Mites and Scale Insects may attack this plant.
Landscape Architecture
