Gynura aurantiaca

Gynura aurantiaca is an aster plant (Asteraceae) and is native to the islands of Java and Sulawesi. It grows to about one meter tall with leaves of up to 8cm, but usually remains smaller. The leaves and stems are dark green with a slight metallic sheen and covered in dark purple hairs.
In nature it grows in more open and drier habitats such as meadows or sparse secondary forests. It is therefore not a typical rainforest understory plant and should therefore not remain damp and shaded. Although it is often used in terrariums, it is also very suitable as a houseplant and is quite easy to care for.

The velvet plant loves a very bright and constantly warm place, but does not tolerate direct sun. The support should always be kept slightly damp but never wet and can also dry on the surface. It's better to keep it dry than too wet! If the substrate is permanently wet, the stems can rot quickly. Lots of air movement is good for the plant. The always very humid and suffocating air, as in a tropical terrarium, quickly leads to rotting of the leaves and stems.
It can be fertilized with normal houseplant fertilizer. During the growing season from May to October approximately every 2 weeks at half concentration. It has no particular requirements regarding the substrate, good soil is sufficient for houseplants.

8cm vase

Half shade.

Keep the soil moist.

From 50% to 70%

From 18° to 28°C