Whirlpool Plant - Petrocosmea flaccida - Welsh Grown

The fascinating foliage om this plant is quite flat to the ground, growing outwards in a spiral from a central point. New leaves grow from the centre, starting tiny and getting bigger as more grow to replace them. This plant's love for humidity and slow-growing nature make it ideal for growing in terrarium setups, but you can provide suitable conditions outside of the glass too. Happy plants may produce bright lavender-coloured flowers on stems which protrude from between the layers of spiral foliage - so keep an eye out for those buds in spring or summer, when they're most likely to appear.

Scientific Name
Petrocosmea flaccida (beauty of the rock, feeble species)

This plant retains the same scientific name as when it was first classified in 1919.

Common Name
Whirlpool Plant, Soft Rosette Petrocosmea, Soft Whirlpool Plant

Origin
This plant is native to the Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of central China.

Light
Bright but indirect light is best. Your Whirlpool may scorch in too much intense direct sun, so find a balance between this and shade (too much of which can stunt the growth) for best results.

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
Higher humidity is great; make sure this plant is away from any heaters which will dry it out too quickly. Aim for humidity levels between 60-80% - a large terrarium can be ideal for this.

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
7-15°C temperatures are perfect for this houseplant; it will do fine at warmer temperatures but be careful not to let it dry out too quickly in this warmer environment.

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
An overnight temperature drop can be helpful to get your Whirlpool plant to flower if you're struggling in the bloom department.

Want to see it flower?
Petrocosmea flaccida may produce tiny lavender-violet flowers in spring or summer. To encourage blooming, provide bright indirect light, slightly cooler nights (around 12–15°C), and a weak high-phosphorus feed as the growing season begins.