| Species list |
Hybrids list |
Tubers list |
Topics list |
Site index |
What's new |
Home page |
Here are some rough estimates of how tolerant the species discussed in this web site (sinningia, paliavana, vanhouttea) are of drying out. All the data below are from my own experience. Your mileage (kilometrage, across the water) may vary. Drought tolerance surely depends on factors other than the innate capacities of the species. Soil mix, ambient temperature, sun exposure, and ambient humidity must play a role.
So take these estimates with a side of skepticism.
A rating of "low" or "rather low" means I have actually seen the plant wilt. On the other hand, a rating of "high" or "rather high" means that I have observed the plant with leaves fully turgid even though the soil mix was completely dry.
As a calibration, African violets would get a rating of "rather high", diastemas would get a rating of "rather low", and gasteranthus would get a rating of "so low we'd have to invent new numbers for them".
| Species | Water requirements |
|---|---|
| S. aghensis | Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two |
| S. aggregata | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. allagophylla | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. amambayensis | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. araneosa | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. bulbosa | Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two. I have not gotten it to bloom, however, so maybe more constant moisture would be better. |
| S. calcaria | Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two |
| S. carangolensis | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. cardinalis | Does not seem adversely affected if soil dries out for a day or three, especially if the weather is not too hot. |
| S. cochlearis | moderate to low |
| S. conspicua | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. cooperi | Does not wilt when soil dries out. Epiphytes have to expect water shortage from time to time. |
| S. curtiflora | Wilts if soil dries out (although it can tolerate heat) |
| S. defoliata | Wilts if soil dries out (not very tolerant of heat either) |
| S. douglasii | Does not wilt when soil dries out. Epiphytes have to expect water shortage from time to time. |
| S. elatior | Wilts if soil dries out (although it can tolerate heat) |
| S. eumorpha | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. gigantifolia | Wilts if soil dries out too much |
| S. glazioviana | Prefers abundant water |
| S. guttata | Languishes if soil dries out. Grows best if soil is constantly moist. |
| S. hatschbachii | Does not wilt when soil dries out. |
| S. helleri | Not one of mine has ever wilted -- but see the S. helleri page for the reason. |
| S. hirsuta | Wilts if soil dries out |
| S. iarae | Does not seem adversely affected if soil dries out for a day or three, especially if the weather is not too hot. |
| S. insularis | Drought tolerant |
| S. leucotricha | Drought tolerant (not the sensitive plant you'd expect) |
| S. lineata | Rather drought tolerant |
| S. macrostachya | Rather drought tolerant |
| S. magnifica | Not particularly drought tolerant in cultivation |
| S. mauroana | Needs frequent watering (more delicate than it looks) |
| S. micans | Drought tolerance is average |
| S. muscicola | Likes abundant moisture |
| S. nordestina | Needs a lot of water when it is in growth |
| S. piresiana | Drought tolerance is average |
| S. pusilla | Likes abundant moisture |
| S. ramboi | Can tolerate dry soil for several days if not too hot |
| S. reitzii | Prefers moderate soil moisture |
| S. richii | Does better if soil does not dry out. Dry soil seems to weaken the plant and promote mildew. |
| S. sceptrum | Needs a lot of water when it is in growth |
| S. schiffneri | Does better if soil does not dry out |
| S. sellovii | Rather drought tolerant |
| S. speciosa | Does better if soil does not dry out (but I'm not the expert: ask Charles Lawn!) |
| S. sulcata | If you let it dry out just once, it will never bloom. Of course, it will never bloom even if you don't let it dry out. |
| S. tubiflora | Needs a lot of water when it is in growth, despite its tough appearance |
| S. warmingii | Needs a lot of water when it is in growth, despite its tough appearance |
| S. gerdtiana | Not drought tolerant. Wilts easily but does recover quickly. |
| S. sp. "Black Hill" | Prefers moderate soil moisture |
| S. sp. "Ibitioca" | Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two |
| S. polyantha (aka sp. "Waechter") | Can tolerate dry soil for several days |
| Paliavana plumerioides | In nature (see the its home page), the species appears to be a xerophyte, but in a pot, it is intolerant of drought. |
| P. tenuiflora | Does better if soil does not dry out |
| Vanhouttea brueggeri | Does better if soil does not dry out |
| V. calcarata | In nature, I expect these plants have wide-ranging root systems to help them endure water shortages, but in pots, they do not tolerate drought well, especially if you want them to bloom. |
| V. lanata | (see V. calcarata) |
| V. pendula | (see V. calcarata) |