The geo plant - Geogenanthus ciliatus - a ‘new’ houseplant?

Geogenanthus ciliatus: not so new. Photograph courtesy of Krish Nelson.

When it comes to "new" trends in the houseplant world, I tend to refer to Ecclesiastes 1:9: there is nothing new under the sun. So when a New York Times piece this week invited us to "meet the hot new houseplant" taking over from the fiddle leaf fig, I couldn't help but dig a little. 

The species in question, a South American plant called Geogenanthus ciliatus, was given its scientific name in 1931, and is ascribed various uses in the traditional medicine of the Siona and Secoya people of Ecuador and Peru. This plant inventory from the US Dept of Agriculture of introduced species dating from 1966 lists it as being "attractive ground cover" found by a Mr Kyburz in Putomayo in Colombia. In 1979 the Indoor Light Gardening Society of America described it as "a real showstopper". Another species, G. poeppigii (aka the seersucker plant), has been grown as a houseplant for decades too. 

So, Geogenanthus is not a new houseplant, but Costa Farms in the US is making it hot property by propagating it for the mass market, after their plant hunter Mike Rimland saw a few plants growing in Southeast Asia and spotted its potential. The shiny dark purple leaves are likely to give it the same goth appeal as Zamioculcas 'Raven'.

Geogenanthus is a member of the Commelinaceae family, best known to us via the stalwart Tradescantias, but early reports about 'geo' (as it has been dubbed) are that it is not as accommodating as the inch plant we know and love. Despite the thick leaves, it wilts like a peace lily if allowed to get dry, and needs good humidity levels. If you do want to buy into the hype, the geo is available in a few UK plant shops for around £50. But my advice is to wait. It won't be too long before the price drops. 

This blogpost was taken from The Plant Ledger, my twice monthly email newsletter about the UK houseplant scene. Subscribe here and get my free in-depth guide to fungus gnats.