The Wercklea is a rare shrubby plant from the rainforest of Costa Rica, with very decorative leaves. The leaves are big and round, have red veins and are covered in spines. At the leave base, red buds are formed that are followed by yellow flowers that have the shape of a windmill. In nature the shrub grows up to a maximum of 4 meters, but as a container or indoor plant the species stays a lot smaller. Keep the plant at a minimum temperature of 10 degC.

Sowing description: Soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water, sow the seeds in sowing mix and cover with plastic foil or glass. Keep the soil constantly moist (not wet), and let the seeds germinate at room temperature. Germination takes 2-4 weeks.

Family: Malvaceae
Scientific name: Wercklea ferox
Common name: Wercklea
Native to: Costa Rica

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum temperature: 10 degrees Celsius

Photos: Carmen Galdames