Episcia spp.
flame violets
Overview
Episcia spp. is a genus of about nine evergreen perennials in the family Gesneriaceae, native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Plants creep along the ground on slender stolons, rooting at the nodes to form low mats 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) tall that spread 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) across. The paired, oval leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with a quilted, velvety surface, coloured green, bronze, or copper and frequently marked with silver or pale green along the veins. Tubular five-lobed flowers 0.75-1 inch (18-25 mm) long open singly from the leaf axils in red, orange, pink, yellow, or blue. In warm, humid conditions plants flower on and off for much of the year. Episcia spp. is closely related to the African violet and needs the same steady warmth; growth stalls and the leaves spot when temperatures drop below about 60F (16C) or when cold water touches the foliage. The trailing stolons suit hanging containers, though the plants will not tolerate frost.
Native Range
Episcia spp. is native to lowland tropical rainforests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico through Central America to the Amazon basin and the West Indies.Suggested Uses
Grown as a trailing houseplant in hanging baskets and as groundcover in warm greenhouses and conservatories. In frost-free tropical gardens it is used as a shaded groundcover, spaced 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) apart. The patterned foliage and tubular flowers make it a terrarium subject.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 8"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Under warm, humid conditions Episcia spp. flowers intermittently through much of the year, peaking from late spring to autumn. Each tubular flower lasts a few days, and a healthy plant produces a steady succession. Flowering tails off during cool or short-day periods.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, orange, pink, yellow, or blueFoliage Description
green, bronze, or copper, often veined with silverGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Episcia spp. in bright, indirect light in a loose, peat-based mix kept evenly moist but never waterlogged, with a pH near 5.5-6.5. Warmth and humidity matter most: temperatures below about 60F (16C) stall growth, and cold water on the foliage leaves permanent spots. Water with tepid water and hold humidity above 50 percent. Feed lightly through the growing season with a dilute balanced fertilizer. Plants are usually grown indoors or in a greenhouse outside the frost-free tropics. Rooted stolons detach easily to make new plants.Pruning
Pinch off excess stolons to keep plants compact and to direct energy into flowering. Faded flowers and any spotted or damaged leaves are removed. Overlong runners are trimmed back at any season.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons