Hypoestes aristata aka Ribbon Bush

Hypoestes aristata is known as ribbon bush. It belongs to the Acanthaceae family. Its native range spans tropical and southern Africa. Kew describes it as a scrambling subshrub or shrub. It grows in the wet tropical biome. This is an evergreen plant with a woody base. The RHS also describes it as a perennial.

Its leaves have a soft, velvety surface. Upright stems bear whorls of pale purple flowers. Each flower has a tubular shape. Some flowers show white spots or lines. The flowering season runs from summer into winter. These blooms add colour over a long part of the year. The plant keeps its leaves through the seasons.

The RHS gives a garden height of 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres]. Its shorter description puts the height near 3.9 feet [1.2 metres]. The listed spread is 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Allow five to ten years for the plant to reach maturity. Its habit is bushy, though Kew also records scrambling growth. Pinch out shoot tips to encourage a bushier shape. The RHS suggests it for pots and patio displays.

Indoors, give it bright light filtered from direct sun. Use peat-free potting compost with a loam base. The RHS lists both full sun and partial shade as positions. Choose a sheltered spot for outdoor summer growth. Its UK hardiness rating is H1B. This allows summer outdoor use, with a minimum range of 50–59°F [10–15°C]. Keep the air around indoor plants moderately to highly humid.

Give it moist soil that drains well. The RHS also lists well-drained soil as suitable. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline conditions. Water freely while the plant grows. Reduce watering in winter. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks in summer. These seasonal changes form part of the RHS care guidance.

Raise new plants from seed or stem cuttings. Take softwood cuttings in late spring. Summer is the time for semi-ripe cuttings. The RHS reports few usual pest problems. Powdery mildew may affect the plant, however. The supplied sources give no information on edible parts or toxicity. They therefore do not establish whether it is safe to eat.