🇻🇳 Habitat and Ecology
​Primulina sinovietnamica is a miniature, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial belonging to the Gesneriaceae family (African Violet relatives). It is native to the border region of Southern China and Northern Vietnam, with its distribution centered around these areas. It grows as a lithophyte on moss-covered limestone rock faces in tropical evergreen forests. This species is adapted to thrive in deep shade and a cool-intermediate, highly humid microclimate.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This plant is highly valued for its attractive foliage and delicate flowers.
​Foliage: It forms a compact, stemless (acaulescent) rosette of leaves that lie flat or slightly mounding. The leaves are small, thick, and elliptical, often displaying a dark, velvety green surface. A key feature is the contrast provided by paler green or silvery veins that create an ornamental pattern. The undersides of the leaves are often flushed with purple or red.
​Flowers: The inflorescence is an erect spike that carries 1 to 3 flowers. The blooms are typically tubular, white or pale lavender-blue, with prominent yellow markings on the throat and dense purple-blue lines running along the lower lobes.
​Distinction: The name sinovietnamica refers directly to its origin in the China-Vietnam border region.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Primulina sinovietnamica is a delicate, cool-intermediate growing miniature that is highly sensitive to humidity and waterlogging, making it ideal for a terrarium or humid cabinet in the UK.
​Light: Requires low to moderate indirect light (deep shade is preferable). Avoid all direct sunlight, which will scorch the leaves.
​Substrate: Needs an open, porous, and free-draining substrate. Use a specialized mix of fine orchid bark, perlite, and a small amount of synthetic peat or coir.
​Watering: Water sparingly and carefully. Allow the top layer of the substrate to dry out between waterings. It is extremely prone to crown and root rot if overwatered.
​Temperature:
​Optimal Daytime Temperature: 18-24 C (64-75 F).
​Minimum Nighttime Temperature: Not below 15 C (59 F).
​Humidity: High humidity (70%+) is essential, but ensure water does not sit on the rosette crown for long periods.
​✨ Unique Features
​This is a highly prized miniature foliage plant due to the striking contrast between the velvety-dark leaf blade and the silvery venation. Its compact, stemless rosette makes it a perfect, non-vining focal point for small, enclosed displays, and its endemic nature to the Sino-Vietnamese border region adds to its exotic appeal.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: Small plants of 4-6 leaves
Plant Family: Gesneriaceae
Plant Passport: A Primulina sinovietnamica B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB