Geogenanthus ciliatus - 6cm pot / 10cm
Geogenanthus ciliatus is what happens when the rainforest discovers the goth wardrobe. Rounded, glossy leaves, deep purple tones and a finish that can look almost lacquered. I'm very much here for it.
This tropical foliage plant comes from Ecuador and Peru. It belongs to the same family as Tradescantia, which is a lovely bit of botanical gossip when you look at how different it is from a trailing inch plant. Its charm is all in that rich, substantial foliage and the way younger and older leaves can bring different colours to the same plant.
Look closely and you get dark green, purple and flashes of lighter colour rather than one flat black surface. It's the sort of plant that makes everything around it look brighter. Put it beside silver foliage or lime green leaves and you've got a combination that deserves its own little spotlight.
I would adopt this for a warm, humid corner with gentle light and steady moisture. A proper collector's pleasure for anyone drawn to dark foliage.
Every jungle deserves something with a slightly wicked streak.
