How to Grow Phygelius Plants

Guide to Growing Cape Fuchsia, and Cape Figwort.

Plants belonging to the hardy and half hardy Phygelius genus are able to reach from 90 cm to 1.4 m in height (3 to 4.6 feet).

They bloom in the summer carrying beautiful drooping trumpet shaped flowers.

Phygelius capensis
Phygelius capensis ‘Magenta’ by FarOutFlora.

The petals of Phygelius may be red, yellow, white or pink.

A common name for Phygelius is Cape Fuchsia.

Commonly Grown Phygelius Species

Phygelius capensis

Phygelius capensis
Phygelius capensis (Cape Fuchsia), photograph by Wendy Cutler; CC.

Phygelius aequalis

Phygelius aequalis
Phygelius aequalis (Yellow Trumpet Cape Fuchsia), picture by 阿橋 HQ; CC.

Phygelius Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Cape Fuchsia, Cape Figwort
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Half-hardy perennial.
Height: 36 to 48 inches (120 cm).
Native: South Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 9.

Flowers: Summer.

Flower Details: Orangey pink/yellow center. Cultivars of white, crimson red, and yellow. Trumpets. Drooping panicles.

Foliage: Semi-evergreen shrub. Oval leaves (4 inches (10 cm)).

Sow Outside: Cover seed. Spring/Summer.

Sow Inside: Germination time: one to two weeks. Temperature: 70 to 75°F (21—24°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost. Spacing 24 to 36 inches (60—90 cm).

Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial afternoon shade in hot areas. Good drainage. Light soil, moist soil. Regular watering during dry periods. Monthly feed with general fertilizer. Prune back to 6 inches (15 cm) in spring. Autumn mulch. Propagate: by dividing in the spring in cooler areas or from late summer cuttings.

Family: Scrophulariaceae.

Closely Related Species: Figworts.

Miscellaneous: Long blooming flowers attract birds and pollinating insects.

How to Grow Cape Fuchsia and other Phygelius

The seeds of Cape Fuchsia can be sown outdoors in spring or summer. Once sown lightly cover the seeds with topsoil.

Ideally the soil that they grow in should be well drained and light. Phygelius likes to grow in sunny parts of the garden, but may require partial shade in very hot areas.

If starting off indoors then start to grow your Fuchsias about a month and half before due out (following the last frost of spring).

It should take about two weeks for the seeds to germinate at 20 to 25 Centigrade (68 to 77°F). Transplant the young seedlings at about 60 to 90 cm apart.

Caring for Phygelius

It is quite easy to look after members of the Phygelius genus. They should be watered to keep the soil moist during prolonged dry spells.

Once they start to get too large, prune them to tidy up, and cut back to the ground every spring.

If you require more plants then take cuttings in the second half of summer, or divide the plants in the autumn.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Phygelius plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Twinspur; California Fuchsia; and Nemesia plants.