The plant world is full of surprises, and among the most delightful is the Columnea, affectionately known as the “Dancing Dolphin Plant” or “shark plant”. These whimsical names come from the unique shape of their blooms, which strikingly resemble dolphins leaping and dancing amongst lush foliage. Native to tropical America and the Caribbean, Columneas are part of the Gesneriad family, celebrated for their vibrant and diverse flowering plants. If you’re looking to add a touch of playful elegance and vibrant color to your indoor garden, the dancing dolphin plant is an exceptional choice.
What Makes the Dancing Dolphin Plant So Special?
The allure of the dancing dolphin plant lies in its distinctive flowers. Imagine blooms in striking shades of red, orange, and yellow, or captivating combinations of these hues, each shaped like a tiny dolphin in mid-leap. This unique floral display is not only visually arresting but also a conversation starter, making Columneas a favorite among plant enthusiasts.
Beyond their flowers, Columneas are admired for their growth habit. Many varieties are natural trailers, making them ideal for hanging baskets where their cascading foliage and playful blooms can be fully appreciated. The leaves themselves are typically lush and green, providing a beautiful backdrop for the vibrant flowers.
Caring for Your Dancing Dolphin Plant: Creating the Perfect Environment
To ensure your dancing dolphin plant thrives and graces you with its delightful blooms, understanding their care requirements is crucial. Here’s a guide to creating the perfect environment for your Columnea:
Light: Bright, Indirect Sunlight is Key
Columneas flourish in bright, indirect light, mimicking their native tropical forest understory. South or west-facing windows that receive filtered sunlight are ideal. Too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, while insufficient light may lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.
If you’re using artificial lighting, aim for 12 to 14 hours of light daily. This is especially beneficial during winter months or in homes with limited natural light.
During the summer, hanging baskets of dancing dolphin plants can be moved outdoors to shaded areas, such as a porch or under a tree canopy, to enjoy the fresh air and bright, indirect sunlight.
Watering: Finding the Right Balance
Consistent moisture is important for Columneas, but overwatering can be detrimental. The key is to allow the soil to become slightly dry between waterings. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Soil: Light and Porous is Best
Columneas thrive in a light, porous potting mix that retains moisture but also drains well. A mix formulated for African violets or bromeliads often works well. You can also create your own mix by combining peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite in equal parts. This type of mix provides the aeration and drainage that Columneas need for healthy root development.
Fertilizer: Regular Feeding for Vibrant Blooms
Dancing dolphin plants are moderate feeders and benefit from regular fertilization, especially during their active growing season in spring and summer. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to ¼ teaspoon per gallon of water, with every watering.
During the spring and summer months, when plants are actively growing and blooming, you can increase the fertilizer strength to ½ to 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, depending on the size of the plant. Larger, more established plants can typically handle slightly higher concentrations of fertilizer. Always observe your plant’s response and adjust fertilization accordingly to avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to salt buildup and leaf burn.
Popular Dancing Dolphin Plant Varieties to Explore
The world of Columneas is rich with diverse varieties, each offering unique flower colors, foliage textures, and growth habits. Here are a few captivating cultivars to consider for your collection:
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‘Aladdin’s Lamp’: This variety is known for its exceptionally profuse display of huge reddish-orange flowers against a backdrop of dark green foliage. It’s a vigorous trailer and a reliable bloomer.
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‘Alpha’: ‘Alpha’ features cheerful yellow flowers and medium green leaves with a striking red reverse. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets.
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‘Apollo’: If you love yellow blooms, ‘Apollo’ is a must-have. It consistently produces brilliant yellow flowers and has small, dark green, waxy leaves, making it a top choice for yellow Columneas.
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‘Bold Adventure’: This variety offers a unique foliage interest with medium green leaves that have a brick red reverse, visible through the veins. It displays yellow and scarlet flowers and has an upright growth habit.
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‘Broget Stavanger’: Admire the graceful, long flowing foliage of ‘Broget Stavanger’, adorned with small, beautifully variegated leaves. It produces reddish-orange flowers and adds a delicate charm to any space.
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‘Cascading Beauty’: As its name suggests, ‘Cascading Beauty’ is a stunning trailer with tiny, nearly round leaves that are medium to dark green with golden variegation. It blooms with red blossoms in the spring, offering year-round beauty.
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‘Early Bird’: Highly sought after for its exceptional free-flowering nature, ‘Early Bird’ bursts forth with an array of bright yellow flowers hooded in red-orange, complemented by medium green leaves.
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‘Flashfire’: ‘Flashfire’ boasts bronzy leaves with a brick red reverse and elegant flowers with a yellow tube and lower throat that transitions into an orange/scarlet hood. It has a compact and elegant growth habit.
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‘Hot Lips’: Make a bold statement with ‘Hot Lips’, featuring striking bright yellow blooms with prominent red edging. Its dark, glossy foliage further enhances its appeal.
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‘Lava Flow’: ‘Lava Flow’ is a visual delight with large, reddish-orange flowers streaked and highlighted with yellow, emerging beautifully from the foliage. It exhibits a pleasing growth habit.
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‘Midnight Lantern’: ‘Midnight Lantern’ presents a striking combination of large, golden orange and yellow flowers with small, dark coppery, red-backed, semi-trailing foliage.
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‘Orange Sherbet’: Enjoy year-round color with ‘Orange Sherbet’, known for its outstanding, large orange flowers produced continuously on a vigorous, trailing plant with small, bright green leaves.
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‘raymondii’: For a more upright Columnea, consider ‘raymondii’. It features huge red flowers with yellow throats, long leaves, and thick stems, exhibiting a shrub-like growth habit.
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‘schiedeana’: ‘schiedeana’ offers unique long chartreuse flowers heavily marked with brick red. This bushy, large-growing variety has medium green velvety leaves with a hint of red underneath.
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‘Starburst’: ‘Starburst’ is a compact and free-flowering variety with bright yellow, often star-shaped (peloric) flowers. It has small, dark, glossy foliage.
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‘Sylvia’: ‘Sylvia’ showcases linear leaves that are deep green with rose coloring on the reverse. Its cream-colored blooms blush rose, adding a soft touch.
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‘Top Brass’: ‘Top Brass’ is admired for its extra-large yellow flowers tipped with gold, complemented by small, dark bronze-green leaves and an excellent semi-trailing habit.
Bring Home the Joy of Dancing Dolphins
The dancing dolphin plant, with its whimsical flowers and easy-care nature, is a delightful addition to any indoor plant collection. Whether you choose to display them in hanging baskets or pots, their vibrant blooms and cascading foliage will bring a touch of tropical charm and playful elegance to your home. Explore the diverse varieties available and discover the joy of growing these enchanting plants. Embrace the dance of the dolphins and let these unique Gesneriads brighten your living space.
