Hula Plants (Kohleria eriantha or Kohleria amabilis) are popular indoor plants. Members of the Gesneriaceae family, they are admired for their vibrant foliage and unique, often speckled, bell-shaped blooms. Their compact size makes them a popular addition to indoor plant collections, bringing tropical beauty to any home.
Understanding the Hula Plant
Hula Plants feature attractive, often velvety leaves that display intricate patterns or a rich green hue. Their foliage can exhibit shades of bronze, silver, or purple. The bell-shaped flowers emerge in colors like reds, oranges, pinks, and purples, often with speckles or contrasting throats. These blooms typically appear in clusters.
Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, Kohleria species thrive as understory plants in humid, forested environments. They are adapted to dappled sunlight filtering through a canopy. Many Kohleria species have rhizomes, which are underground stems that store nutrients and allow the plant to survive dormancy.
Hula Plant Care Requirements
Light
Hula Plants flourish in bright, indirect light. Place them near an east or north-facing window, or a few feet from a south or west-facing window. Filtered light, such as from sheer curtains, protects the plant from harsh rays. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch leaves and inhibit growth. Insufficient light may result in leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Watering
The soil should be kept consistently moist during the active growing season, but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly before watering, checking moisture levels with a finger. Overwatering can lead to rhizome rot, while allowing the soil to dry out completely may cause premature dormancy. Using room-temperature, filtered water or rainwater is beneficial, as these plants can be sensitive to chemicals in tap water.
Humidity and Temperature
Hula Plants thrive in high humidity, ideally above 50%. To increase indoor humidity, place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the plant is not sitting directly in the water. Grouping plants together can also create a localized humid microclimate. They prefer temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18°C-24°C) and should be protected from sudden temperature fluctuations or cold drafts.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining and aerated potting mix is important for Hula Plants. A suitable mix can be created using equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, or a commercial African violet mix. Good drainage prevents rot. When potting, choose a container with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. Hula Plants often perform well when slightly pot-bound, so select a pot only slightly larger than the root ball.
Fertilization
During the active growing season (spring through summer), Hula Plants benefit from regular fertilization. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula, diluted to half or quarter strength. Apply fertilizer every two to four weeks. Reduce or cease fertilization during the plant’s dormant period in fall and winter. Over-fertilization can lead to fertilizer burn and damage the root system.
Propagating Hula Plants
Propagating Hula Plants can be achieved using either leaf or stem cuttings. For leaf cuttings, select a healthy, mature leaf and cut it at its base, leaving a short petiole. Insert the petiole about half an inch deep into a moist, well-draining rooting medium, such as perlite, vermiculite, or a sand-peat mix. Covering the pot with a clear plastic bag or placing it in a propagation dome helps maintain the high humidity needed for rooting.
Alternatively, take stem cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems. Cut a section about 3-4 inches long, ensuring it has at least two nodes. Remove the lower leaves and insert the cutting into the same rooting medium used for leaf cuttings. Maintain consistent moisture and high humidity around the cuttings. Rooting typically occurs within a few weeks to a couple of months. Once new growth appears and roots are established, transplant the young plants into individual pots with regular potting mix.
Troubleshooting Hula Plant Problems
Hula Plants can experience common issues. If leaves yellow, it often suggests overwatering or insufficient drainage, which can lead to root rot. Adjusting the watering schedule and ensuring adequate drainage holes can resolve this. Brown, crispy leaf edges may indicate low humidity or underwatering, prompting an increase in humidity or more consistent moisture.
A lack of blooms, despite healthy foliage, often points to insufficient light. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight can encourage flowering. Another cause could be a lack of nutrients, in which case a balanced fertilizer during the growing season would be beneficial. Common pests like aphids and spider mites can affect Hula Plants, appearing as small insects or fine webbing on the leaves. Regularly inspecting the plant and treating infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil can protect its health.