Scalloped-flower Calceolaria crenatiflora

The pocketbook plant is a tender herbaceous annual, biennial, or perennial grown as a half-hardy annual that has a compact and mounding habit and grows 4 to 20 inches tall and equally as wide. Its leaves are light to dark green, textured, and have scalloped margins. The flowers are solitary or clustered, measuring 1.5 inches long, and look like inflated pouches. They are generally yellow with orange to brown freckles or spots. It is a demanding plant, typically grown as a greenhouse plant in northern climates, but can be grown in the open if temperature, moisture, and light requirements are met. The plant is a native of Southern and Central Chile and Southern Argentina. The genus name, Calceolaria, is derived from the Latin word, "calceolus" that means slipper. This refers to the shape of the flower's lower lip. The specific epithet, crenatiflora, means scalloped-flowers.

This plant prefers temperatures in the low to mid 60s Fahrenheit, slightly humid conditions, soil that is well drained and slightly damp, and a site that is out of direct sun. When grown as a houseplant, they will require bright, indirect light and a peat-based potting mix. The blooms prefer cool temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Keep the soil evenly moist, and to increase humidity, place the planter on a bed of moist pebbles. Propagate by seeds or stem cuttings in mid to late summer.

The plant has very unusual and distinctive flowers and most owners of this plant bypass the requirements and enjoy the blooms by purchasing a potted plant in the spring, forcing the plant into bloom, pinching them back to extend the blooming and keep the form of the plant, then discarding the plant after the blooms have faded. The flowers with a lower lip resembling a pocketbook display in a dense mass of yellow, orange or red and the colors can be solid, spotted or bicolor.

The pocketbook plant may be used as bedding or border plant, houseplant, or container plant. In appropriate climates, it may be found in rock gardens or cottage gardens. 

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is susceptible to slugs, snails, and aphids. Avoid sites that are too warm or subject to drafts because it will invite aphids. Root and crown rot can be a problem if the soil is too wet or watering is inconsistent. Gray mold, whiteflies, and spider mites can also be a problem. Limp leaves usually indicate the plants are too dry. Place this plant in a sheltered location that provides protection from strong winds.