Larger than the traditional busy lizzy and almost shrubby in habit, the dramatic New Guinea or “busy lizzies” bear the same characteristics of constant flowering from a young age, brittle, succulent-looking stems, and lush, fleshy foliage.
However, they are more bold and colorful, with leaves that may be bright green, green splashed with yellow, or bronze-red. The flowers are larger, generally single, with a prominent spur, and come in many shades of red, pink, mauve, and white.
Size: Height to 14 in. (35 cm).
Light: Indirect sunlight.
Temperature: Normal room.
Moisture: Keep moist from spring to fall. In winter, apply only enough water to prevent the soil mix from drying out.
Feeding: Use standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks from spring to fall.
Propagation: Take 4 in. (10 cm) tip cuttings in spring or summer, and root in water or soil.
Special needs: A position that is too warm will cause rapid wilting, so place pots on a tray of moist pebbles to increase humidity.