Overview

Bring vibrant beauty to your outdoor space with the exquisite Barleria cristata live plant. Also commonly known as the Philippine Violet plant or Crested Philippine Violet, this stunning perennial is celebrated for its abundant, trumpet-shaped purple flowers that bloom profusely from late summer through fall, and often into winter in warmer climates. Originating from India and Southeast Asia, this adaptable shrub adds a tropical touch to any garden or patio. Our live plant arrives healthy and ready to thrive, potted in a half gallon container, ensuring a strong start in your landscape. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning, the Barleria cristata offers an easy-to-grow, long-lasting display of color.

The Barleria cristata live plant is a fantastic choice for those seeking continuous blooms and a low-maintenance option. Its rich green foliage provides an attractive backdrop for the striking purple flowers. This plant is known for its vigor and ability to naturalize in suitable environments, creating a lush and colorful display. Embrace the charm of the purple barleria and transform your garden into a haven for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Key Benefits

The Barleria cristata live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable addition to various garden styles and plant collections. Its visual appeal and ease of care stand out:

• Spectacular Blooms: Enjoy a long season of beautiful, rich purple, trumpet-shaped flowers that provide continuous color and a tropical aesthetic. These eye-catching blooms are a true garden highlight.
• Attracts Pollinators: The vibrant flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity and health of your garden ecosystem.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Philippine Violet plant is remarkably resilient and requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those new to plant care.
• Versatile Landscaping: Ideal for use in garden beds, borders, hedges, or as a striking container plant on patios and balconies, offering flexibility in design.
• Drought Tolerant: This robust plant exhibits good drought tolerance once mature, reducing the need for frequent watering in established gardens.
• Pest and Disease Resistant: Generally resistant to most common pests and diseases, ensuring a healthier and more vigorous plant with less intervention.
• Year-Round Interest (in warm climates): In frost-free regions, the purple barleria can provide blooms and lush foliage throughout much of the year, offering enduring garden beauty.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barleria cristata live plant is relatively straightforward, ensuring a rewarding display of its beautiful purple flowers. This resilient plant thrives with a few key considerations to promote vigorous growth and abundant blooms. Proper siting and consistent care will help your Philippine Violet plant flourish in your garden or container.

Sunlight Requirements: The Barleria cristata prefers full sun to partial shade. For the most prolific blooming, aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, a spot with some afternoon shade can protect the foliage from scorching. If grown indoors, place it near a bright window where it can receive ample light.

Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods and when the plant is young. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, the Barleria cristata becomes more drought tolerant, but regular watering will encourage better flowering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering frequency during cooler months or if the plant enters a dormant period.

Soil Type and Drainage: This plant thrives in well-draining soil. A rich, loamy soil amended with organic matter is ideal. If planting in a container, use a high-quality potting mix that offers good drainage. Avoid heavy clay soils that retain too much moisture, as this can lead to root rot. Good drainage is crucial for the health of your Barleria cristata live plant.

Temperature & USDA Hardiness: The Barleria cristata is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, where it can be grown as a perennial. In colder zones, it can be treated as an annual or brought indoors before the first frost. It prefers warm temperatures and can tolerate heat well. Protect from freezing temperatures, which can damage or kill the plant.

Fertilization: Feed your purple barleria with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and again in mid-summer to encourage continuous blooming. Alternatively, you can use a liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Follow the product instructions for application rates. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning: Prune your Barleria cristata after its main flowering period to maintain a tidy shape and encourage bushier growth and more blooms. You can cut back spent flower stalks and trim any leggy stems. A more substantial pruning can be done in early spring to rejuvenate older plants.

Size & Details

This Barleria cristata live plant is supplied in a robust half gallon nursery pot, ensuring it has a healthy root system ready for transplanting into your garden or a larger container. At the time of shipment, the plant typically stands between 8-12 inches tall, depending on its growth cycle and recent pruning. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach a mature height of 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) and spread equally wide, forming a dense, rounded bush. Its growth rate allows it to establish quickly in your landscape, providing a substantial display within its first growing season. The outdoor flowering plants like this Barleria cristata will begin to produce their beautiful purple blossoms from late summer and continue through fall, offering a prolonged period of color. Expect a healthy, well-rooted specimen that is ready to thrive and bring joy to your garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Barleria cristata live plant can typically grow to a mature height and spread of 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) in ideal conditions, forming a beautiful, dense shrub. Its size can be managed with regular pruning.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant is shipped in a half gallon nursery pot, providing a good foundation for its root system and ensuring a smooth transition to your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Philippine Violet plant is primarily an outdoor plant, especially in warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11). However, it can be grown indoors in a bright, sunny location as a houseplant, particularly in colder regions where it needs protection from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal blooming, the Barleria cristata requires at least 6 hours of full sun per day. It can tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates, but may produce fewer flowers.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Barleria cristata live plant is considered relatively easy to care for. It’s quite resilient and drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and beginners looking for beautiful outdoor flowering plants.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Barleria cristata will arrive as a healthy, well-rooted live plant in its half gallon nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey and ready for planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your Barleria cristata is in spring or early summer after the danger of frost has passed, allowing it ample time to establish before cooler weather.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The purple barleria is perennial in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it will need to be protected from frost, either by bringing it indoors or treating it as an annual.
• Q: Does this plant attract wildlife? A: Yes, the vibrant purple flowers of the Barleria cristata are very attractive to pollinators, including hummingbirds and butterflies, bringing life and movement to your garden.
• Q: What kind of soil does it prefer? A: This plant thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix or amended garden soil with excellent drainage is ideal.