Woolly Congea Plant Care
Congea tomentosa Roxb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Congea tomentosa is a large tropical evergreen vine, commonly referred to as wooly congea, shower orchid, or shower of orchid.. It is called lluvia de orquideas or terciopelo in Spanish, krua on in Thai, and rong bao teng in Chinese.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Woolly Congea?
Water Woolly Congea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Woolly Congea?
Woolly Congea (Congea tomentosa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Congea genus. Woolly Congea is native to Myanmar and Thailand, it can be found else. Woolly Congea is also known as Fuzzy Congea.
Woolly Congea displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Woolly Congea produces showy clusters of purple, pink, or white bracts.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Woolly Congea?
Congea tomentosa requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Woolly Congea Need?
Woolly Congea thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Woolly Congea in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly Congea Prefer?
Congea tomentosa grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Woolly Congea prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly Congea?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Woolly Congea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly Congea?
Feed Woolly Congea every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Woolly Congea?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Woolly Congea?
Woolly Congea can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to congea chinensis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Woolly Congea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Woolly Congea, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Woolly Congea?
Woolly Congea is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Woolly Congea Need?
Woolly Congea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Woolly Congea is native to Myanmar and Thailand, it can be found else. In cooler regions, grow Woolly Congea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Woolly Congea is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Congea genus — compare its care with other Congea species on PlantoScan.
Congea is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Woolly Congea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Congea tomentosa Roxb., family Lamiaceae (first published in Pl. Coromandel 3: 90 (1820)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly Congea, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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