Episcia

Family Gesneriaceae. Native to Tropical America (Brazil, etc.). In the wild there are more than 40 species. These are perennial herbaceous plants that are grown in hanging baskets or pots as trailing plants.

This delicate and capricious plant is represented in cultivation by two species:

Episcia dianthiflora - a herbaceous plant that has two types of shoots - short stems with closely set leaves and long runners with daughter rosettes that root at the nodes. Leaves small, up to 4 cm long, elliptical in shape, with a toothed margin. Leaf surface velvety, dark green with dark veins. Flowers tubular, solitary, white with purple speckles in the throat, corolla up to 4 cm in diameter.
Episcia cupreata - a larger herbaceous plant with pubescent thick stems. Leaves up to 10 cm long, elliptical in shape, with a toothed margin. Leaf surface wrinkled and pubescent, coppery-green in color. Flowers tubular, solitary or arranged in pairs on the scape, red-orange, corolla up to 3 cm in diameter. It is the original species for many cultivars, which differ mainly in leaf coloration.

Temperature: Moderate during the growth and flowering period; in winter not below 18°C. Protect Episcia from drafts.

Light: Episcia prefers bright, diffused light, but with insufficient light the variegation of the leaves fades.

Watering: Water moderately during growth and flowering. In winter water sparingly and less frequently; the soil should be allowed to dry somewhat between waterings.

Fertilizers: Feed roughly from April until early August, weekly. Use special fertilizers for flowering houseplants.

Humidity: Episcia require very high air humidity. Place pots on a tray with wet pebbles and also spray regularly.

Repotting: For growing Episcia it is better to use fairly wide pots of low height. Repot annually in spring. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, pH = 5.5 - 6.5. The potting mix consists of 2 parts leaf soil, 1 part peat (or greenhouse soil) and 1 part river sand, plus sphagnum moss and pieces of charcoal. You can also use commercial mixes such as "Fialka" etc. Provide good drainage and large drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

Propagation: By seed, leaf cuttings, and daughter rosettes.