Cymbalaria, also known as Kenilworth ivy, is a fast-growing, evergreen groundcover plant. It is native to Europe, but has been introduced to North America and other parts of the world. Cymbalaria is a low-growing plant that spreads quickly, making it an excellent choice for groundcover. It has small, heart-shaped leaves and produces delicate, blue or purple flowers in the spring and summer.
Is it easy to grow Cymbalaria plant? Unless you want a carpet of this little plant, give it room to meander and it will do just fine. It's not fussy about soil, but does prefer good drainage. It's a great plant for tucking into spaces between paving stones or in the rock garden. It's happy in sun or shade, but looks best with a little afternoon shade in hot summer areas. It's also a good container plant.
How big can it be? Unless the plant is really small, it can grow up to 60 cm in length. In terms of height, it's usually not more than 2-4 cm.
How fast is the growth? Unless given enough light, Cymbalaria plants will become etiolated, or "leggy." They will also produce fewer flowers. When given too much light, the leaves will become scorched. The ideal light exposure for a Cymbalaria plant is dappled sunlight.
| Plant Form | Grassy |
| Family | Scrophulariaceae |
| Origin | Southern Europe, Spain |
How long is the lifespan? The reason that this plant is called a "perennial" is because it will live for more than two years. In fact, it can live for up to eight years in the right conditions. It is originally from Europe, but can now be found in many parts of the world.
What is the ideal temperature? known as the Ivy-leaved toadflax, is a common flower which can be found in various parts of Europe and Asia. The plant is also found in North America as an introduced species. It is a member of the Plantaginaceae family. The Cymbalaria plant prefers room temperature in the summer. However, the plant is cold-resistant and can even spend the winter outdoors.
What about the humidity? The reason this plant is able to tolerate high levels of humidity is that it comes from an area that is constantly wet. The leaves of the plant are covered in a waxy substance that helps to keep the plant from drying out. The plant is also able to store water in its leaves, which helps to keep the plant from wilting in high levels of humidity.
What amount of light this plant needed? When the sun is high in the sky, the light is more direct and the shadows are shorter. In the morning and evening, when the sun is lower in the sky, the light is more diffused and the shadows are longer. This scattering of light creates a mottled effect on the leaves of Cymbalaria plants, which is most pronounced when the sun is low in the sky.
What is good soil for Cymbalaria? Unless you have really good quality soil in your garden, you will likely need to mix in some compost, turf, sand or perlite to create a loose, fertile mixture that will support your plant. You can also use a store-bought substrate that is specifically designed for plants. Be sure to choose a pot that has an opening and drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How much I must water Cymbalaria? The plant does not like to be waterlogged, so the soil should be slightly moist at all times, but not soggy. Stagnant water will lead to root rot, so be sure to empty any water that accumulates in the saucer beneath the pot.
About fertilizer. The plant is fed with a fertilizer solution about once every 2 weeks from April to September. The fertilizer should be high in phosphorus to encourage blooming.
How to reproduce Cymbalaria? The plant easily spreads by seeds which fall from the plant during June to September and often sprout independently. The optimum temperature for the seeds to germinate is 68-71,6 ° F. The seeds need light for germination and it takes about 2-3 weeks for them to sprout. After the appearance of the second leaf, the seedlings are dived into pots with a diameter of 8 cm. The optimum temperature for the plant after transplantation is 57,2-59 ° F. The plant can also be propagated by dividing it during transplantation.
Why Cymbalaria won't bloom? Because the Cymbalaria plant blooms in spring and summer, you can expect to see pinkish, purple, and white flowers.
How much I must water Cymbalaria? The plant can be transplanted in the spring 1 time in 2-3 years. The plant does not tolerate a transplant, so it is necessary to do it very carefully. The best time for a transplant is the end of April - the beginning of May.
How to care the plant? Eventually, the plant will need division to keep it from getting too large for its pot. You can do this in the spring. When you see new shoots coming up from the base of the plant, carefully dig it up and replant the shoots in new pots. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix. Water the plant when the soil feels dry to the touch. The plant can be grown as a ground cover in pots with higher shrubs. Can grow in the open ground.
What is the challenge when caring Cymbalaria plant? The plant is very fond of the sun, but in hot weather it can get a blue tint. Most often it is affected by spider mites.
Are Cymbalaria poisonous? The plant contains glycosides that can be toxic if ingested, especially to small children and pets who may be attracted to the plant's bright flowers. The pollen of the plant can also cause allergic reactions in some people.
