Whirlpool Plant - Petrocosmea 'Chidori' - Welsh Grown

Looking at this plant, it's no mystery why it's nicknamed 'Whirlpool'. Each new leaf that grows from the centre of this plant contributes to a living, growing spiral of velvety, mid-green leaves. You may even get flowers, delicate purple, bell-shaped blooms which sprout from between the layers of fuzzy leaves. Keep it happy, nice and humid, with plenty of moisture and not too much sun and you may be rewarded with these blooms. Its preference for high humidity means it does well in large terrariums, so consider this a possible home for your new whirlpool.

Scientific Name
Petrocosmea 'Chidori' (beauty of the rock, hybrid species, cultivar: one thousand birds)

Synonyms: Vaniotia (Genus synonym)

This Genus was first described in 1887.

Common Name
Whirlpool Plant, Chidori Whirlpool Plant, Miniature Petrocosmea

Origin
This Genus is native to east Asia, ranging from the east Himalayas to China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

Light
Keep in bright light out of direct sun; too much sun will scorch it, while too little stunts growth, so it's important to find the right balance.

Water
Keep the soil as consistently moist as you can. Bottom-watering is a good idea here - water by placing it in a dish of water and letting it slurp its fill. This will help to not get water in the leaf crown, which can lead to rot. Try not to let the soil totally dry between waters as this can make your plant's leaves crisp up quite quickly.

Humidity
Above-average humidity is best here, as your Whirlpool Plant will thrive best between 60-80% humidity. A pebble tray will be helpful for keeping it happy and stably humid, or it will also grow well in a larger terrarium setup.

Soil
Your soil should be well-draining but also moisture-retentive here, meaning it holds some moisture but not so much that it sits soggy. A mix of elements like perlite with something like coir can help provide this balance. Repot every few years in spring once the roots have outgrown the pot - this is a slow-grower so won't need it too frequently.

Food
Your whirlpool is fairly slow-growing, so doesn't need too much food. It will benefit from a dilute feed every six weeks or so, and if you are struggling to get it to flower, use a fertiliser with a higher potassium content to encourage blooming.

Temperature
Temperatures between 7-15°C are perfectly fine for your Whirlpool plant. A bit warmer in summer is fine, just make sure it isn't drying out too much.

Pet-safe
Yes, this plant is non-toxic. Just make sure your pet isn't eating large quantities which won't do them any favours.

Sprouts Top Tips
Let the temperature drop overnight and use potassium-rich fertiliser to encourage blooms if they're being stubborn to appear. A high-humidity environment will also help here, so consider changing that if your home is on the drier side.

Want to encourage flowering?
‘Chidori’ may reward you with tiny, violet-like blooms in spring or early summer. To encourage this, provide steady bright light, a slight drop in night temperatures (around 12–15°C), and a gentle high-phosphorus feed at the start of the growing season.