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Pellionia repens

Also Known As

Elatostema repens
Pellionia daveauana
Rainbow Vine
Trailing Watermelon Begonia

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 6"
W: 20"-40"

planting zones

10a-12

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Pellionia repens plant details

Pellionia repens is a broadleaf evergreen perennial bulb / corm / tuber with blue, bronze, chocolate, green, purple and variegated foliage. In spring and winter green flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture water. Does well in rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Pellionia repens

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: urticaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue, bronze, chocolate, green, purple and variegated
Mature size: 20 IN - 40 IN - wide, 0 IN - 6 IN - tall
Flowers: green blooms in spring and winter
Uses: container plant, houseplant, naturalizing, terrarium plant, trailing, year-round-interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Pellionia repens

USDA Zones: 10a - 12
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: rich

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Chalk-green leaves with dark pinkish/purplish edges. This easy to grow vine branches over time. Prodces clusters of white flowers. Works great in terrariums as foreground or a semi wall-climber! Great as a groundcover in terrariums.

By: The Other Side Nursery

Pellionia repens, commonly called Trailing Watermelon Begonia, is an evergreen vining plant featuring dark green, lanceolate leaves with a light green central band. The overlap between the two colors creates a whispy, smoky pattern which is very eye catching. Sometimes the leaves will tinge pink or purple. They are carried on long, pink stems which spill over, making this plant an excellent choice for hanging baskets and containers alike.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Pellionia repens is an easy to grow plant with oval shaped leaves that are green in the center and brown around the edges. The plant grows like a vine and can shingle up a wall if damp or humid enough. The flowers are brown and held in large clusters. Once in flower the pollen shoots out like smoke giving this plant the common name of the Gun powder plant. Also sometimes called the trailing Begonia. Foliage: Oval shaped leaves dark maroon to brown with a bright green center Flowers: Small clusters of brown colored flowers produce smoke like pollen when in flower Height: Crawling climbing or Epiphyte

By: Brian's Botanicals

Pellonia daveauana has a pale central band on each leaf..outer margins are olive to bronzy-green...good for terrariums...likes humidity and warmth...beautiful foliage.

By: Accents for Home and Garden

This attractive tropical plant is not a begonia all, but it is grown for its interesting foliage, which is excellent in shady containers oval shaped leaves the color of watermelon rind…Mottled light and dark green oval shaped leaves are spaced alternately on red tinted stems. Pellionia likes heat and moisture, but like Begonias do not want to be constantly wet. Grow in a well drained soil mix in partial or deep shade.