Episcia cupreata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ee-PISH-ee-ah kew-pree-AH-tuh
- Description
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This herbaceous perennial from the Gesneriaceae (African violet) family is commonly grown as a houseplant. It needs lots of bright, indirect light and well-drained potting soil. Flowers are solitary and usually red, pink and orange. There are many cultivators available with various colored leaves and flowers.
They are very attractive in hanging baskets and have a creeping habit. Water moderately to keep the soil moist in the summer and seldom in the winter. They need high humidity but do not tolerate water on their leaves. They do well in a greenhouse setting or terrariums also.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include aphids, mealybugs. Fungal leafspots, stem blights, and root rots occasionally occur. Leaves scorch in full direct sun; dieback occurs if too much water or too little air circulation, leaf margins turn brown from low humidity and too dry conditions
Quick ID Hints:
- Flowers are solitary, red to orange, funnel-shaped
- Stems are creeping, stoloniferous, hirsute
- Leaves are decussate, with pale midribs & purple undersides
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Episcia
- Species:
- cupreata
- Family:
- Gesneriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Crimson red to orange with yellow throat, blooms seasonally. Solitary, red to orange, to 2.5 inches long; corolla salverform, villous, spurred at the base, and 5-lobed.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval green, up to 4 inches long, with undersides flecked with copper and purple. Opposite, simple, decussate, ovate, acute, cordate to rotund, slightly bullate, dark green with paler midrib, purple underneath. Grows in a rosette from which lateral runners grow.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Short hairy stems and reddish to green stolons that readily root
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
