Columnea flammeostoma - the "Flaming Lips" Columnea - is an awesome new species that was discovered in a remote part of southern Ecuador.  Its fuzzy, purple blooms have an outrageous, gaping "mouth" with bright yellow "lips".  Even without blooms it's an attractive plant, with thick, succulent leaves that are glossy.  This is an excellent horticultural gem that deserves to become very popular.

The plant looks great when grown in a hanging planter, where its 2-foot-long shoots can spread outward.  The flowers are 2 inches long and appear throughout the year.  Their purple color is pretty unusual color for Columneas, which are usually red, orange, or yellow.  After pollination, it makes attractive lavender or red berries.  You can cross-breed it with some other Columneas to create interesting new hybrids!

It was found in mountain cloud forests, where temperatures are mild all year and nights are cool.  It reportedly dislikes very warm or cold conditions, and it probably can't take frost.  It grows well for me in bright, filtered light.  Give it some protection from strong sun.  It likes a loose soil mix that's kept evenly moist.  A typical mix is 1 part potting soil to 1 part perlite.  It also may be grown in sphagnum moss.  Over about 50% humidity is best.  In the right conditions, it's an easy and very fun plant.

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