I picked up a few scraggly looking Limon Talinum this year when I saw them on sale at one of the big box stores.

They really looked pathetic in their 4-inch pots and were clearly the victims of overwatering, which was evident by the soaking wet soil and tiny stunted growth. However, I am a sucker for sale-priced plants that need a good home, especially when it’s a plant I’ve never tried before, so I scooped them all up and brought them home.

Without any care besides some Osmocote Slow Release Fertilizer and watering, they look fantastic. They grew quickly—from less than an inch to almost 2 feet tall. I love their abundant airy stems with tiny pink flowers that change to small red seed pods, and I’ve used several of these stems as accents in flower arrangements.

I’m a fan of any plant with chartreuse foliage, so Limon Talinum is a double bonus. I think I may have a new addition to my list of must-have container plants.

Growing Limon Talinum

Also known as Jewels-of-Opar or Fameflower, Talinum is a tender perennial (or an annual, for those of us with cold winters). It is only hardy in zone 9 and up, however, it often self-sows in gardens in colder zones.

Plants grow between 1-3 feet high and wide, making it a perfect filler or medium-to-tall element in a mixed container planting. I love chartreuse paired with purple or blue tones, so I suggest planting Talinum with purple flowering annuals like Petunias, Angelonia, or Verbena. It also looks amazing with purple foliage plants like Purple Heart Tradescantia, Persian Shield, or sun tolerant varieties of Heuchera and Coleus.

Or, if you like to keep it simple, Talinum can stand alone in a container. But it’s a good idea to plant several together so the planting looks full, especially in large containers.

Talinum prefers part to full sun and good drainage, however mine have been subjected to heavy rains for several weeks now and still look great despite consistently wet soil. Their adaptability makes them a good choice for gardeners who have less than green thumbs, or who want a low-maintenance plant that still has a “wow” factor.