Ruellia makoyana

Monkey plant

Ruellia makoyana

Monkey plant

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Velvety leaves with silver markings
Graceful pink flowers
Bushy growth
Shapeable by pruning
Ideal for tropical terrariums

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Pot L - 7 x 7 x 8 cm (out of stock)

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Description

The Monkey plant or Trailing velvet plant, Ruellia makoyana, is an attractive, broadly bushy growing plant from southeastern Brazil. It occurs in the understory of the coastal rainforest (Mata Atlântica). This species from the Acanthaceae family is valued as a tropical ornamental plant especially for its decorative leaves and also adorns itself with pink, trumpet-shaped flowers. The oval leaves, about 5 - 7 cm long, are velvety, dark green with a violet tinge, and have silvery veins. The branched, ascending to erect stems are herbaceous to somewhat woody, upright to ascending, and often lie down with the lower nodes, where they take root. The wide bushes can grow up to about 60 cm tall, but are usually smaller and can also be kept lower by pruning. The plants we supply are about 15 cm tall and 30 cm wide.

This plant from the herb layer of tropical rainforests grows optimally under warm-humid, moderately bright conditions, but is adaptable and also thrives as a houseplant. In a terrarium, it grows best in loose, humus-rich substrate that is kept slightly moist but must not become waterlogged. Once the plant is established, it can be fed with a houseplant fertilizer. It still grows in weak light or in the shade, but better in a bright location, with daylight culture without direct sun. The minimum temperature is 12 °C, but temperatures above 20 °C are recommended. Pruning of upright stems promotes bushy, low growth; the plant can also be used as a taller ground cover. Propagation is done by head cuttings or also "layering": separating rooted shoots lying on the ground.

Ruellia makoyana is ideally suited with its unique velvety, violet-tinged, and silver-patterned foliage and pretty flowers to create a lush, tropical atmosphere in terrariums. It can be placed not only on the ground but also on moist back walls, where its stems gracefully hang down. This plant is well suited for both aesthetic and practical reasons, as its dense foliage can provide shelter and moisture for the inhabitants of the terrarium. Its adaptability to different light conditions and relatively easy care make it a popular choice for terrarium enthusiasts.

Profile

Ruellia makoyana
Cultivation options	Terrestrial, moist backwall
Growth height	Approx. 15 - 50 cm
Temperature	Approx. 15 - 30 °C
Humidity	At least 50 %
Light requirement	Low to bright, for daylight cultivation no direct sun
Watering	Keep moderately moist, avoid waterlogging
Fertilising	Houseplant fertiliser about every 2 - 3 weeks
Propagation	Head cuttings, layering
Suitable for	Various tropical terrariums, rainforest terrarium

Cultivation options

Terrestrial, moist backwall

Growth height

Approx. 15 - 50 cm

Temperature

Approx. 15 - 30 °C

Humidity

At least 50 %

Light requirement

Low to bright, for daylight cultivation no direct sun

Watering

Keep moderately moist, avoid waterlogging

Fertilising

Houseplant fertiliser about every 2 - 3 weeks

Propagation

Head cuttings, layering

Suitable for

Various tropical terrariums, rainforest terrarium

Terrarienpflanzen

Our terrarium plants give every terrarium an individual, natural atmosphere and at the same time provide a healthy environment for all terrarium inhabitants. Our wide range of tropical, subtropical and even arid plants are easy to combine and enhance any terrascape. Whether it's strong succulents, subtle tillandsias, eye-catching neoregelias or wonderful orchids - we offer terrarium plants for different terrascapes from rainforest to desert.