This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On a sunny day in July 2019, a visit to Kilua Resort in Shanzu, Mombasa, revealed a beautiful tropical moonflower plant hanging off the ceiling in the restaurant area.
According to Salim Juma, the gardener at Kilua Resort, the moonflower plant thrives in full sunlight and can also adapt well to shade.
The plant produces fragrant white, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from sundown to sun up, making it a breathtaking sight to behold.
"We water all our plants twice a day, mainly morning and evening to ensure that they stay ever green," Juma said.
The soil for the moonflower plant should be well-drained to prevent the roots from rotting.
At Kilua Resort, the hotel has a flower nursery where they grow plants that suit their taste, and Juma regularly adds flowers to the garden as needed.
"For the moonflower, we have to remove the dead leaves, make sure the plant is not hanging too low because the restaurant should be clean and friendly always," Juma said.
Other plants on the balcony collection include the Peace Lily, Haliconia (Lobster-claws), Fern, Desert Rose, and Dracaena.
The hanging plants blend well with the white paints on the walls, creating a beautiful and serene atmosphere.
