Achimene Growing Instructions 

Baby Pinecones?

If you haven't grown achimenes before you may be a bit surprised by the appearance of the bulbs. Looking somewhat like small, closed-scale pinecones, these bulbs bear no resemblance to traditional round or onion-shaped bulbs. But don't worry; everything is as it should be for these African violet relatives.

Not convinced? Well, we're going to ask you to trust us on this one. After all, if external appearances were always true indicators, would you ever considering putting a brown, furry kiwi in your mouth?

Outdoor Beds

1. Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3 inches to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available.

2. Site your achimenes where they will get light to moderate shade or dappled sun. Full sun will burn the plants. 

3. Dig little holes and plant the bulbs 1”-1 ½” deep and 3”-4” apart. Just poke them down in the soil, don't worry about which side is up. They'll grow from any position.

4. After planting, water well, thoroughly soaking the area. Keep soil fairly moist and sprouts will appear in two to four weeks. Plants will grow quickly and begin flowering at a young age. 

5. Water as needed during active growth periods, keeping soil moist but not wet. If the soil is allowed to dry out this will encourage the plants to slip into dormancy and they will finish blooming for the season. Half strength fertilizer added to the water will keep plants blooming strongly throughout the summer and early fall. 

6. In the autumn the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your achimenes will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.

Pots, Tubs, Urns & Windowboxes

1. Fill your containers with good quality, well-drained soil. Almost any commercially available potting medium will work fine. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes; achimene bulbs must not sit in waterlogged soil or they will rot.

2. Site your achimenes where they will get light to moderate shade or dappled sun. Full sun will burn the plants. 

3. Dig little holes and plant the bulbs 1”-1 ½” deep and 3”-4” apart. Just poke them down in the soil, don't worry about which side is up. They'll grow from any position.

4. After planting, water well, thoroughly soaking the area. Keep soil fairly moist and sprouts will appear in two to four weeks. Plants will grow quickly and begin flowering at a young age.  

5. Water as needed during active growth periods, keeping soil moist but not wet. If the soil is allowed to dry out this will encourage the plants to slip into dormancy and they will finish blooming for the season. Half strength fertilizer added to the water will keep plants blooming strongly throughout the summer and early fall. 

6. In the autumn the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your achimenes will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.

7. If you garden in a location cooler than zone 10, you'll need to lift achimenes bulbs and store them indoors in slightly damp peat moss. Or you can just replace them next spring for another year of cascading blooms.