Acanthus polystachyus

Acanthus polystachyus

Native to:
Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Acanthaceae
Genus:
Acanthus
Species:
Acanthus polystachyus
USDA Symbol:
ACPO10

Growth Characteristics

Height:
120 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
white, pink, purple

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers organic matter-rich soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate best with cold stratification and warm temperatures after. Fresh seed germinates more reliably than stored seed.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI