Is the whale flower a herbaceous plant? Let's get to know this flower

Other names for the whale flower

Because the flower shape of the whale flower looks somewhat like a fish, it has other names such as shark flower and goldfish vine.

Morphological characteristics of the whale flower

The whale flower is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. It is trailing, with rather slender branches and stems covered with reddish-brown fine hairs. The leaves of the whale flower are dark green, ovate, with pointed tips, and grow oppositely.

The whale flower blooms as single flowers in the leaf axils. The flower color is mainly orange-red, and the throat of the flower is pale yellow. The shape of the whale flower's bloom is like a shark in the sea opening its big mouth.

Growth habits of the whale flower

The whale flower prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The suitable temperature is about 18-22°C, and in winter the temperature should not be lower than 10°C for it to survive the winter safely.

The whale flower requires loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam.

As for fertilizing, apply fertilizer 1-2 times per month during the whale flower's growing season, and it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently. Generally, apply more nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer in spring and summer, and more potassium fertilizer in autumn.

During cultivation, pruning and shaping should be done regularly.

Propagation methods of the whale flower

The whale flower can be propagated by several methods: cuttings, division, or seed sowing.