Painted Tongue Plant Care
Salpiglossis sinuata Ruiz & Pav.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Salpiglossis sinuata, the painted tongue, scalloped tube tongue, velvet trumpet flower, palito amargo or panza de burro ( Spanish : donkey's paunch ), is a flowering plant belonging to the subfamily Cestroideae of the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to southern Chile.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Painted Tongue?
Water Painted Tongue every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Painted Tongue Native To?
What Is the Painted Tongue?
Painted Tongue (Salpiglossis sinuata) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Salpiglossis genus. Painted Tongue is native to southern Chile. Painted Tongue is also known as Velvet Trumpet.
Painted Tongue displays an upright, branching annual growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Painted Tongue produces trumpet-shaped flowers in a variety of colors including purple, red, yellow, and orange.
How Often Should You Water a Painted Tongue?
Salpiglossis sinuata requires watering every 3–5 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 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Painted Tongue Need?
Painted Tongue thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Painted Tongue Prefer?
Salpiglossis sinuata grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Painted Tongue prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Painted Tongue?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Painted Tongue to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Painted Tongue?
Feed Painted Tongue every 4 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 4 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 Painted Tongue?
Not typically repotted as it is an annual. 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 Painted Tongue?
Painted Tongue can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Painted Tongue Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Painted Tongue, 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 Painted Tongue?
Painted Tongue is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Painted Tongue Need?
Painted Tongue grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Painted Tongue is native to southern Chile. In cooler regions, grow Painted Tongue as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Painted Tongue 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 Salpiglossis genus — compare its care with other Salpiglossis species on PlantoScan.
Salpiglossis is part of the Solanaceae plant family — browse all Solanaceae genera and species.
Painted Tongue 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: Salpiglossis sinuata Ruiz & Pav., family Solanaceae (first published in Syst. Veg. Fl. Peruv. Chil. 1: 163. 1798 [late Dec 1798]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Painted Tongue, 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 12a, 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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