Goeppertia roseopicta (Goeppertia roseopicta)
Goeppertia roseopicta is an evergreen perennial herb with rhizomes, forming dense, compact clumps with a bushy habit.
Overview
Goeppertia roseopicta is an evergreen perennial herb with rhizomes, forming dense, compact clumps with a bushy habit.
Origin and habitat
Sources differ on its native range: it is placed in South America, with more specific accounts pointing to the Amazon Basin of northwestern Brazil and broader accounts describing western South America and western Brazil. It inhabits shaded tropical-rainforest understory and forest-floor environments with warm, humid tropical conditions.
Characteristics
Sources differ and are few, placing mature height at about 30–61 cm and mature spread at about 30–61 cm. The species has elliptic to ovate leaves patterned in green and shades from pink to creamy white, with reddish-purple undersides; the 'Rosy' cultivar is characterized by bright pink leaf surfaces with green margins. Flowering is uncommon indoors; when present, the flowers are small and white or pale purple. It is reported to potentially flower in summer.
Light
Provide bright indirect or filtered light, or partial shade, and avoid strong direct sunlight.
Watering
Keep the growing medium moist but not waterlogged during active growth and slightly moist in winter; rainwater or distilled water can be used, and NC State advises avoiding fluoridated tap water.
Humidity and airflow
Suitable humidity is 60–100 %.
Temperature and dormancy
Maintain a minimum temperature of 16 °C, with an ideal range of 18–24 °C.
Growing medium and mounting
Use a moist but well-drained potting medium. Sources differ on its preferred conditions: NC State recommends a peat-based, slightly acidic medium with vermiculite or perlite optionally added for drainage, while RHS accepts acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.
Feeding
Feed regularly during active growth; RHS recommends a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Propagation
Propagate by dividing the rhizomes; RHS identifies late spring as a suitable time for division.
Common problems
Possible pests include spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects; RHS also lists glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while water splashed onto leaves or poor airflow can be associated with leaf spot; RHS more generally describes the plant as usually having few disease problems. Low humidity or insufficient water is reported to cause leaf curling, while low humidity or fluoride in tap water may cause browning of leaves and leaf tips; insufficient light may fade leaf color, whereas direct sunlight may scorch the leaves. It is sensitive to low temperatures and prefers sheltered, humid, consistently warm conditions.
Identification
The 'Rosy' cultivar is reported to be distinguished mainly by bright pink leaves with green margins; leaves of the species fold together at night and reopen in the morning.