Originating from the relatively cool plateaus of the Tsarantanana Mountains in Madagascar, this species in now a commorn outdoor and indoor ornamental globally. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in the UK. It comes in all ranges of colors accept for blue​ and there are many hybrids and cultivars. It may have medicinal benefits for the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and various other ailments. Its leaves contain organic compounds that are said to halt the proliferation of cancer cells, among other medical advantages like treating rhinitis, back pain, and oral health issues​.Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia where it is cultivated at elevations below 9,000 feet.