Drought Tolerance in Sinningia species

Here are some rough estimates of how tolerant the species discussed in this web site (sinningia, paliavana, vanhouttea) are of drying out.  All the data below are from my own experience.  Your mileage (kilometrage, across the water) may vary.  Drought tolerance surely depends on factors other than the innate capacities of the species.  Soil mix, ambient temperature, sun exposure, and ambient humidity must play a role.

So take these estimates with a side of skepticism.

A rating of "low" or "rather low" means I have actually seen the plant wilt.  On the other hand, a rating of "high" or "rather high" means that I have observed the plant with leaves fully turgid even though the soil mix was completely dry.

As a calibration, African violets would get a rating of "rather high", diastemas would get a rating of "rather low", and gasteranthus would get a rating of "so low we'd have to invent new numbers for them".

Species Water requirements
S. aghensis Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two
S. aggregata Wilts if soil dries out
S. allagophylla Wilts if soil dries out
S. amambayensis Wilts if soil dries out
S. araneosa Wilts if soil dries out
S. bulbosa Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two.  I have not gotten it to bloom, however, so maybe more constant moisture would be better.
S. calcaria Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two
S. carangolensis Wilts if soil dries out
S. cardinalis Does not seem adversely affected if soil dries out for a day or three, especially if the weather is not too hot.
S. cochlearis moderate to low
S. conspicua Wilts if soil dries out
S. cooperi Does not wilt when soil dries out.  Epiphytes have to expect water shortage from time to time.
S. curtiflora Wilts if soil dries out (although it can tolerate heat)
S. defoliata Wilts if soil dries out (not very tolerant of heat either)
S. douglasii Does not wilt when soil dries out.  Epiphytes have to expect water shortage from time to time.
S. elatior Wilts if soil dries out (although it can tolerate heat)
S. eumorpha Wilts if soil dries out
S. gigantifolia Wilts if soil dries out too much
S. glazioviana Prefers abundant water
S. guttata Languishes if soil dries out.  Grows best if soil is constantly moist.
S. hatschbachii Does not wilt when soil dries out.
S. helleri Not one of mine has ever wilted -- but see the S. helleri page for the reason.
S. hirsuta Wilts if soil dries out
S. iarae Does not seem adversely affected if soil dries out for a day or three, especially if the weather is not too hot.
S. insularis Drought tolerant
S. leucotricha Drought tolerant (not the sensitive plant you'd expect)
S. lineata Rather drought tolerant
S. macrostachya Rather drought tolerant
S. magnifica Not particularly drought tolerant in cultivation
S. mauroana Needs frequent watering (more delicate than it looks)
S. micans Drought tolerance is average
S. muscicola Likes abundant moisture
S. nordestina Needs a lot of water when it is in growth
S. piresiana Drought tolerance is average
S. pusilla Likes abundant moisture
S. ramboi Can tolerate dry soil for several days if not too hot
S. reitzii Prefers moderate soil moisture
S. richii Does better if soil does not dry out.  Dry soil seems to weaken the plant and promote mildew.
S. sceptrum Needs a lot of water when it is in growth
S. schiffneri Does better if soil does not dry out
S. sellovii Rather drought tolerant
S. speciosa Does better if soil does not dry out (but I'm not the expert: ask Charles Lawn!)
S. sulcata If you let it dry out just once, it will never bloom. Of course, it will never bloom even if you don't let it dry out.
S. tubiflora Needs a lot of water when it is in growth, despite its tough appearance
S. warmingii Needs a lot of water when it is in growth, despite its tough appearance
S. gerdtiana Not drought tolerant.  Wilts easily but does recover quickly.
S. sp. "Black Hill" Prefers moderate soil moisture
S. sp. "Ibitioca" Can tolerate dry soil for a day or two
S. polyantha (aka sp. "Waechter") Can tolerate dry soil for several days
Paliavana plumerioides In nature (see the its home page), the species appears to be a xerophyte, but in a pot, it is intolerant of drought.
P. tenuiflora Does better if soil does not dry out
Vanhouttea brueggeri Does better if soil does not dry out
V. calcarata In nature, I expect these plants have wide-ranging root systems to help them endure water shortages, but in pots, they do not tolerate drought well, especially if you want them to bloom.
V. lanata (see V. calcarata)
V. pendula (see V. calcarata)