Galphimia gracilis (Slender Goldshower)

  • TropPlant Accession Number (TPAN): 0015
  • Botanical Name: Galphimia gracilis
  • Common Name: Slender Goldshower, Gold Shower, Galphimia
  • Cultivar: N/A
  • Family: Malpighiaceae

Galphimia gracilis
Photo by Matthew Gaston

  • Native To: Eastern Mexico

Landscaping Information

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Texture:  Fine 
  • Form:  Upright-Narrow
  • Height (on average, in landscape use): 4'-8'
  • Height to Spread Ratio: 1:1
  • Growth Rate: Medium 
  • Landscape Values: Accent, Background, Border, Color, Edging, Facer, Filler, Foundation, Quick Effect
  • Outstanding Quality: Flower Color
Galphimia gracilis
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Botanical Descriptions

  • Flowers: 0.75" long, 5 vivid bright petals, arranged in racemes with 10-25 flowers. 
Galphimia gracilis flower
Photo by Matthew Gaston

  • Fruits: 0.2", segmented 
  • Foliage Color:  Young/immature: Soft Green. Mature: Bright Medium Green to Blue-Green. 
  • Foliage Tip: Rounded to Obtuse
  • Foliage Base: Attenuate 
  • Petiole: 0.25"
  • Stipules: n/a
  • Margins: Smooth
  • Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
  • Leaf Shape: Elliptic to Ovate
  • Leaf Type: Simple
  • Leaf Texture: Glaucous, waxy
  • Leaf Special Notes: Handsome oval-shaped leaves with a slightly blue-green hue compliment the light brown/beige stem and bright yellow flowers. 
Galphimia gracilis adaxial surface
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Galphimia gracilis abaxial surface
Photo by Matthew Gaston


Galphimia gracilis 
Photo by Matthew Gaston
  • Bark and Trunk: Pale to Light brown/beige bark with shallow ribbing or furrows.  
Galphimia gracilis stem
Photo by Matthew Gaston

Horticultural Information

  • Light Preference: Full Sun
  • Light Tolerances: Semi-Sun
  • Soil Preferences: Acidic, Slightly Acidic, Organic, Dry (Mesic), Dry (Xeric), Well-Drained
  • Tolerances: Acidic, Drought
  • Water Requirements: Low
  • Notes on Maintenance: Due to its brittle stems, this plant is best not planted along a walkway or high wind area. Frequent trimming will provide a more full appearance, as when untrimmed it can grow leggy and appear spindly. Prone to spider mites in hot weather.  
  • Propagation: Cutting, Seeds
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b
  • Weed Risk Assessment Score (WRA): -2, Low Risk

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