Species Philippine violet
Purple flowers and dark-green leaves on a lime-green stem.

Philippine violet

Barleria cristata

The Philippine violet, or Barleria cristata, is an amazing plant species. It features stunning, bright purple flowers with coral-colored centers and bright green foliage. The flowers may bloom as single flowers and also in clusters, making this a great choice for flower bed or garden borders. This species prefers full sun and is drought and heat tolerant, thus making it an ideal choice for flower borders in hot climates. The fast-growing nature of this plant also makes it a winner for busy homes, as it is easy to take care of and able to fill up empty spaces quickly. The Philippine violet is an eye-catching choice for any garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Stem Propagation,Division,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Pink, purple, white or mauve-white stripes Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Philippine violet (Barleria cristata) should be watered thoroughly once every 7-10 days, depending upon the weather. The soil should be allowed to nearly dry out between waterings and should not be left constantly wet or saturated. In the summer months, increased temperatures and direct sunlight will mean more frequent watering. During periods of extreme or prolonged heat, daily waterings may be necessary. As a general rule, avoid overwatering and allow the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out before watering again. When overwatered, the leaves of the Philippine violet (Barleria cristata) will start to turn yellow and the edges of the pots can form a white salt deposit.

sunlight

Philippine violet (Barleria cristata) needs at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. The best times of day to give it sunlight is during the morning and early afternoon, when the sun is at its brightest. When providing direct sunlight during these times, it is important to make sure that the plant isn't in direct, beaming sunlight, as this could result in scorching or sunburn. If the sun becomes too powerful, it's best to partially shade the plant or move it into an area with brighter, indirect sunlight.

pruning

The Philippine violet (Barleria cristata) should be pruned annually, shortly after the flowers fade. Begin by trimming the stems back by up to 1/3 of its original size. This will help to keep the plant full and will encourage the new growth. Lastly, if pruning is done in the late spring or early summer, the plant should be cut back by up to half in order to promote healthy new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Barleria cristata typically starts flowering in April and continues through October.

Starts Flowering

Barleria cristata typically starts flowering in April and continues through October.

Hardiness Map