Beautiful and Somewhat Delicate: Crosandra

You go to a supermarket, they have a plant promotion, and you find a species you have never seen before... today I want to talk about this fortuitous "encounter".

Today we discuss a plant from the Acanthaceae family, of Asian origin, in this case Crossandra infundibuliformis, commonly known as Crosandra or Justica.

It is a plant that reaches about half a meter in height when fully developed, even reaching up to a meter, with bright green, entire leaves that have serrated edges. The flowers are grouped at the ends of the stems, fan-shaped, and come in orange, yellow, or pink colors resembling paper.

Crosandra is sensitive to cold and should not be exposed to temperatures below 10ºC to ensure its integrity, with an optimal growth range between 15 and 20ºC, making it a suitable candidate for indoor planting in many parts of the world. It can only survive outdoors in tropical climates where temperatures and humidity are sufficient.

In general, as mentioned, it is a plant that requires light but can suffer from direct sunlight. It needs humidity but does not tolerate drought or waterlogging, and it does not appreciate being misted with water, although it does require ambient humidity. It is recommended to water with room temperature water, avoiding cold water. Crosandra does not thrive in alkaline soils or hard water (with high lime content). The substrate should be acidic and rich in nutrients. In containers, it appreciates space for the roots, thriving better and being less delicate in larger pots (or so I read in some old books I have at home).

It is not a long-lived plant, and we can propagate new specimens either by seeds or cuttings (the latter being a bit more complex in this case).

Certainly, it is a beautiful plant worthy of any greenhouse, glassed terrace, or interior of a home (with care, as heating and lack of ambient humidity may harm it), even better if you live in a place with a mild climate that allows you to cultivate it in the garden or terrace.

It is sensitive to some pests, in case you do not see enough problems, hahaha.

Despite all of the above, it is a plant that, as I mentioned, I saw sold in a national supermarket chain, where neither the treatment nor the care will be exquisite. Therefore, I imagine its cultivation is more than industrialized to supply at a competitive price and ensure they arrive alive... to such a large "buyer". The lion may not be as fierce as it is painted, and it may not be so difficult to keep it alive... or maybe it is.

Do you have experience with this species? I honestly do not! I look forward to your comments!