Dicliptera (Dicliptera squarrosa)

Overview

Dicliptera squarrosa, commonly known simply as Dicliptera, is a desirable addition to warm-season gardens, particularly valued for its attractive foliage and late-summer blooms. This tender perennial brings vibrant color to the landscape from July through September, often attracting hummingbirds with its unique reddish-orange flowers. While commonly used as an annual outside its hardiness range, its ease of culture makes it a reliable choice where winter protection is possible.

The plant typically forms a neat, shrubby mound, maintaining manageable dimensions between 1.5 and 2 feet in size. Its distinguishing features include ovate, velvety, gray-hairy leaves that offer structural interest even when flowers are sparse. If you are seeking reliable late-season color or unique texture, Dicliptera squarrosa provides excellent performance.

Overall, Dicliptera offers gardeners a medium-maintenance option that thrives in plenty of sunshine. Its attraction to hummingbirds further enhances its value in wildlife or nectar-focused garden designs. Gardeners in cooler climates should treat this species as a patio plant that can be successfully overwintered indoors via cuttings.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Acanthaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Native Range: Central South America
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.5-2 ft
  • Spread: 1.5-2 ft
• Bloom Time: July to September
• Bloom Description: Reddish-orange
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Medium

How to Grow

Plant Dicliptera squarrosa after all danger of frost has passed, ideally in spring or early summer to maximize its growth potential. It performs best when situated in average, medium, well-drained soils, though it possesses a notable tolerance for some light shade and periods of drought once established. Good drainage is key to the health of this tropical-looking perennial.

Water needs are medium; aim for consistent moisture, though the plant can handle brief dry spells better than consistently wet conditions. Fertilization is generally not essential if the soil is reasonably fertile, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can encourage robust flowering throughout the summer and into the fall.

For gardeners in areas colder than Zone 8, Dicliptera must be grown as an annual. Alternatively, take cuttings late in the season before the first frost. These cuttings root easily and can be overwintered indoors in pots, providing desirable material to place back outside the following spring.

Landscape Uses

Due to its neat, mounding habit and steady blooming cycle, the use of Dicliptera squarrosa in containers and hanging baskets is highly recommended, especially in cooler regions. These placements allow for easy relocation indoors during winter months. In the ground, it works well in the mixed border where its texture and flower color can contrast with bolder foliage plants.

When designing mixed containers, pair the reddish-orange blooms of Dicliptera with deep purples or bright yellows to create visual tension. Consider plants with similar cultural needs, requiring full sun and medium water, such as some varieties of calibrachoa or coleus that complement the velvety leaves of the Dicliptera.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Dicliptera squarrosa is a tender perennial that features ovate, velvety, gray-hairy leaves (to 2 1/2” long) and two-lipped, tubular reddish-orange flowers (1-3/4” long). Typically grows in a shrubby mound to 18-24” tall and as wide, blooming robustly from summer into fall. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, hence the sometimes common name of hummingbird plant, making Dicliptera a functional ornament.

Tolerances

Potential Problems

Generally, the Dicliptera plant proves quite resilient in the garden, exhibiting no serious insect or disease problems under typical growing conditions. Ensure superb drainage to prevent root issues common in humid environments where soil stays waterlogged. Monitoring for common pests like aphids or whiteflies during indoor overwintering is prudent, but exterior garden concerns are minimal for healthy specimens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Dicliptera suitable for?

Dicliptera squarrosa is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, where it can be grown as a perennial.

How large does Dicliptera squarrosa grow?

This plant typically reaches a mature height between 1.5 and 2 feet, with an equal spread of 1.5 to 2 feet, forming a compact mound.

What sun exposure does Dicliptera need?

For best performance and abundant blooming, Dicliptera requires full sun, although it tolerates some degree of light shade.

When does Dicliptera bloom?

You can expect the reddish-orange flowers of Dicliptera to appear from July through September.

Conclusion

The texture of the fuzzy foliage combined with the hummingbird-attracting, reddish-orange blooms makes Dicliptera squarrosa a rewarding choice for late-season structure and color. Whether utilized as a primary container specimen or a dependable perennial in warmer climates, Dicliptera offers reliable performance. Assess your local climate and plan to start cuttings if you reside outside Zones 8–10 to enjoy this attractive plant next year.

Wildlife Benefits

The tubular, reddish-orange flowers of Dicliptera squarrosa are specifically structured to attract hummingbirds, making it an invaluable nectar source during the mid-to-late summer months when other resources may be dwindling. Planting Dicliptera near patios or windows provides excellent viewing opportunities for these energetic visitors.

In addition to hummingbirds, many varieties of Dicliptera can serve as larval host plants for certain butterfly species, though specific host relationships should be cross-referenced for your region. By incorporating this easy-to-grow plant, you actively support local avian fauna while enjoying its unique botanical qualities.

Propagation Tips

The most effective and reliable method for propagating Dicliptera squarrosa for gardeners outside of the perennial hardiness range is through stem cuttings. Take 4- to 6-inch cuttings from the tips of non-flowering stems taken in mid-summer. Remove the lower set of leaves and place the cuttings in moist, sterile starting mix or water, keeping them in a warm, bright location away from direct, harsh sunlight.

These cuttings establish roots relatively quickly, often within a few weeks, allowing enough time for the young plants to mature before the autumn frost. Once rooted, treat these new Dicliptera plants as semi-hardy annuals for the current season, or move them to a sheltered greenhouse or bright windowsill to overwinter indoors until spring planting returns.