Intermediate
skill rating
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Cyanotis somaliensis (Pussy ears)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.15m
Max height
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cyanotis somaliensis
Other names
Pussy ears, Kitten's ears, Kitten ears
Genus
Cyanotis Cyanotis
Species
C. somaliensis - C. somaliensis is a tender, spreading, evergreen perennial bearing arching, oblong to lance-shaped, leathery, pointed, olive green leaves with hairy margins and one-sided cymes of purple flowers in summer. Flowers are only occasionally produced in cultivation.
Cyanotis somaliensis is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Olive green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required except for the removal of dead leaves.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
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Where to grow
Cyanotis somaliensis (Pussy ears) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light with shade from midday sun. Water moderately & provide low humidity. Feed with a diluted, low nitrogen fertiliser in growth. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun with some midday shade.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cyanotis somaliensis
Other names
Pussy ears, Kitten's ears, Kitten ears
Genus
Cyanotis Cyanotis
Species
C. somaliensis - C. somaliensis is a tender, spreading, evergreen perennial bearing arching, oblong to lance-shaped, leathery, pointed, olive green leaves with hairy margins and one-sided cymes of purple flowers in summer. Flowers are only occasionally produced in cultivation.
Native to
Somalia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Olive green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required except for the removal of dead leaves.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cyanotis somaliensis (Pussy ears) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.4m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light with shade from midday sun. Water moderately & provide low humidity. Feed with a diluted, low nitrogen fertiliser in growth. In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, sharply drained soil in sun with some midday shade.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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