Episcia Alsobia dianthiflora
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Episcia dianthiflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- al-SO-bee-a die-AN-thuh-flor-uh
- Description
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Alsobia dianthiflora, or Lace Flower, is one of two species of the Alsobia genus. It is a tender perennial succulent that is native to Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and parts of Central and South America. Its fringe-edged petals make it an attractive houseplant. It tends to trail as it grows making it ideal for hanging baskets.
The plant has a stoloniferous habit, where rapidly growing stems are produced from the leaf axils. At the tip of the stems are plantlets that root readily and, when left alone, can result in a large mat of plants, each of which may have originated from the same parent plant. Alsobia dianthiflora in particular, is a small-leaved, compact plant that produces large white, frilled flowers and numerous stolons.
As a houseplant, Alsobia does require some warmth and humidity and does well under artificial light, or on a windowsill. The plant prefers well-drained and somewhat moisture-retentive soil, such as standard African Violet soil mixes.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known disease or pest issues.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cygnet' hybrid
large white fringed flower with tiny purple dots - 'San Miguel' hybrid
fringed creamy white flower with purple spots, small oval leaves
- 'Cygnet' hybrid
- 'Cygnet' hybrid, 'San Miguel' hybrid
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cygnet' hybrid
large white fringed flower with tiny purple dots - 'San Miguel' hybrid
fringed creamy white flower with purple spots, small oval leaves
- 'Cygnet' hybrid
- 'Cygnet' hybrid, 'San Miguel' hybrid
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Alsobia
- Species:
- dianthiflora
- Family:
- Gesneriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Northwest Colombia
- Distribution:
- Parts of Central America, Venezuela, and Bolivia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Dense
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Petal margins are deeply fringed.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green, furry, leaves form a mat beneath and around the flower stalks.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen