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| Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc. |
| Family: Gesneriaceae (Gesnerias) |
| Origin: South America |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Synonyms: [S. longituba] |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Sinningia tubiflora (Hardy White Gloxinia) - A tuberous perennial that forms a spreading mound of soft fuzzy silver gray-green leaves. These leaves rise up on erect stems from potato-like tubers to about 1 foot tall and in late spring to early summer appear 1 to 2 foot tall unbranched inflorescences topped by pendulous long tubular white flowers that are blushed pink toward the base and have broadly flared petal tips. These flowers are sweetly fragrant and attract hummingbirds. Plant in full sun (where it blooms best) to light shade in just about any well drained soil or in a pot where its spreading nature can be controlled. Irrigate regularly to sparingly and it is best if on the dry side in a well drained soil in winter when deciduous. It is drought tolerant even when in active growth in a container, can reportedly handle salt spray near the beach and is hardy anywhere the ground does not freeze so long as the tubers are below the surface of the soil or are heavily mulched – noted to be able to withstand winter temperatures down to around 0° F but does not flower well in locations where winter temperatures do not drop below 60° F. In Hawaii it is noted to remain evergreen but not produced flowers. The tubers can be exposed to be shown off in a pot but then can be subject to damage with only a light frost. Sinningia tubiflora is native to Uruguay, Paraguay and north Argentina. The genus was named for Wilhelm Sinning (1792-1874) a gardener and botanist at the University of Bonn Botanical Garden. The specific epithet is from the Latin 'tubus' meaning "a tube" or "a pipe" and 'florus' meaning "a flower" or "to flower" in reference to the tubular flowers of this species. We received this plant from Mike Craib of Suncrest Nursery in 1998. We also grow a pink flowering hybrid called Sinningia 'Invasion Force'.
This information about Sinningia tubiflora displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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