Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Bouvardia hybrida or Hummingbird Flower

The genus Bouvardia, family Rubiaceae, comprises 30 species of shrubs and herbaceous plants native to Mexico, Central America and the southern United States. Some species are: Bouvardia hybrida (cultivar), Bouvardia ternifolia, Bouvardia longiflora, Bouvardia glaberrima, Bouvardia triphylla, Bouvardia bicolor.

Common names: Hummingbird Flower, Fragrant Bouvardia.

They are evergreen shrubs that reach 0.5 meters (1.64 feet) in height. The leaves are opposite and oval in shape. The scented tubular flowers with star-shaped petals arise in terminal corymbs; they can be pink, white or red, depending on the variety. They bloom from late spring to mid-fall.

These difficult-to-grow plants are often used as indoor or greenhouse plants.

Bouvardia hybrida needs strong light but no direct sun. It is a tropical plant that does not tolerate frost; the annual average temperature should be 16-18 ºC (61-65 ºF). It is important to place them in a ventilated place without drafts.

The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand, leaf mulch, and peat. They are not usually transplanted because they have a useful life of 3 years (after that they hardly bloom).

Water frequently with lime-free water in spring and summer (2-3 times a week); from autumn to reduce the waterings; in winter they only need a weekly watering. In summer spray the leaves with lime-free water.

Fertilize weekly with mineral houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer.

Prune intensively in late winter.

Its main enemies are aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs, especially if the humidity is low and irrigation is scarce.

They propagate by cuttings in spring but it's a difficult process; it's advisable to buy new specimens in nurseries or garden centers.

Images of the indoor plant Bouvardia hybrida or Hummingbird Flower