Cantua buxifolia (Sacred flower of the Incas or Magic tree)

11 comments

For 10 months of the year a cantua buxifolia would barely get a be given a first glance let alone a second looking straggly and uninteresting

But in April and May it produces magnificent bright pink flowers with a florescent orange-pink tube and its bedraggled apperence for the rest of the year is forgiven

I also have a plant with just cherry pink flowers

but i think i prefer the the former. There is also another species Cantua bicolor which I bought last year with white and yelow flowers but it hasn’t flowered this year so here’s hoping for next spring. :-)

13 May, 2011
10 likes

Comments

Drc726

Its stunning, what sort of care do you give it?

13 May, 2011

Plantoholic

Hi Drc, I keep it in the greenhouse in the winter min temp around +5 then put it outside in May for the summer, after it has finished flowering I cut it back quite hard as it gets very straggly. It is one of my favorite plants the flowers are amazing :-)

14 May, 2011

Drc726

Thanks Planto.

14 May, 2011

Meanie

This truly is fantastic!

14 May, 2011

Mushybanna

I have to agree fabulous :o)))

31 May, 2011

Plantoholic

Thankyou :-))

1 Jun, 2011

Cooperdog

I have a Cantua buxifolia in a large container which I bought in late Spring. I live in Northern California close to the Bay. Suddenly the leaves are turning yellow and falling off. The pot has good drainage, the plant gets morning and early afternoon sun - so does anyone know why this is happening?

20 Jul, 2012

Plantoholic

Welcome to Goy, I have had this happen a couple of times it was because I let it dry out, they seem to like a bit of moisure at all times, well drained soil is good but dont let the plant dry out completly.
They seem quite resilient and have always recovered well, hope this helps, good growing :o)

20 Jul, 2012