| Botanical name | Hypoestes aristata |
|---|---|
| Plant Care |  Half Sun Half Sun – Prefers 3 To 6 Hours of Sunlight a Day.  Semi Frost Hardy Semi Frost Hardy – Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures.  Moderate Watering Moderate Watering – Requires Regular Watering.  Pruning Required Pruning Required – Needs to be Pruned.  Indigenous Indigenous – Originates in South Africa. |
| Size | |
| Categories | |
| Flowers | February March April May June July August September October This plant bears small flowers with showy bracts in loose spikes, in shades of mauve, white and purple in Autumn to Spring. |
| Common name(s) | Ribbon bush |
| Origin | |
| Foliage | This plant bears hairy, dark green oval foliage. |
| Uses in landscape design | This plant can be used in the landscape as a backdrop to a low, mixed, herbaceous border. A very good shrub for providing colour during winter, in dry, semi-shaded positions. The flowers attract insects which, in turn, are preyed on by birds. In some parts of the country it is traditionally used as a vegetable. |
| Drought tolerance | Medium |
| Planting instructions | Planting: Plant in canopy shade, light or dappled shade, partial shade. Dig a hole 60cm square and deep. Mix two-thirds of the topsoil with one-third compost in the bottom of the hole, add one cup of bone meal or superphosphate and mix well. |
| Maintenance | Water regularly in summer but not in winter. Cut back hard after flowering. |
| Soil conditions | Moist, Well drained |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Uses | Ribbon bush can be eaten, like spinach. The leaves are traditionally crushed to be used, as a poultice for sore eyes. It also makes a good cut flower. |
| Wildlife attractions | bees, insects, birds |
| Interesting info | In some areas the leaves of the Ribbon bush is eaten as spinach. The crushed leaves are used as a poultice for sore eyes. |
| Other languages | Seeroogblommetjie (Afr.); uhladlwana olukhulu, uhlonyane, uhlalwane (Zulu), uhlololwane(IsiXhosa) |
| Recommended varieties | ‘Purple Haze’ is a compact, smaller shrub with light to dark purple flowers. |
Hypoestes aristata (Ribbon bush)
- Botanical name: Hypoestes aristata
- Common name(s): Ribbon bush
- Categories: Shrubs and Perennials
Plant description:
A deciduous shrub with downy, dark green oval-leaves and small flowers with showy bracts in loose spikes, in shades of mauve, white and purple in Autumn to Spring. It grows easily and multiplies rapidly by seeding itself.
Family: Acanthaceae
Botanical Pronunciation: hy-poh-ES-teez a-ris-TAH-tuh
Hypoestes aristata requirements and features
info on these icons
Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.
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February March April May June July August September October
This plant bears small flowers with showy bracts in loose spikes, in shades of mauve, white and purple in Autumn to Spring.
This plant bears hairy, dark green oval foliage.
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