Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) Cantua buxifolia
Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) (Cantua buxifolia) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Polemoniaceae family, native to Andes of Peru and Bolivia. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Polemoniaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Andes of Peru and Bolivia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas)
- How far apart should I plant Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Qantu (sacred flower of the Incas). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Clusters of long, hanging magenta-red trumpets visited by hummingbirds; national flower of Peru and Bolivia. Grows outdoors in mild coastal Britain and California.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Creeping Jacob’s ladder (spreading Jacob’s ladder) Polemonium reptans
- Annual phlox (Drummond’s phlox) Phlox drummondii
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron