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Episcia cupreata

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ee-PISH-ee-ah kew-pree-AH-tuh
Description

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.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Flowers are solitary, red to orange, funnel-shaped
  • Stems are creeping, stoloniferous, hirsute
  • Leaves are decussate, with pale midribs & purple undersides

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include aphids, mealybugs.  Fungal leaf spots, 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

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brazil'
    bright pink flowers, the leaves have shades of green with silver
  • 'Pink Panther'
    dark green leaved with light green veins, hot pink flowers
  • 'Silver Dust'
    dark green leaves with silver patterns, red-orange flowers
  • 'Suomi'
    glossy, copper brown leaves with variegations of green at the leaf veins, yellow flowers
'Brazil', 'Pink Panther', 'Silver Dust', 'Suomi'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#bright light#high maintenance#hanging baskets#herbaceous#delicate#small flowers#fantz#humidity tolerant#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brazil'
    bright pink flowers, the leaves have shades of green with silver
  • 'Pink Panther'
    dark green leaved with light green veins, hot pink flowers
  • 'Silver Dust'
    dark green leaves with silver patterns, red-orange flowers
  • 'Suomi'
    glossy, copper brown leaves with variegations of green at the leaf veins, yellow flowers
'Brazil', 'Pink Panther', 'Silver Dust', 'Suomi'
Tags:
#showy flowers#houseplant#bright light#high maintenance#hanging baskets#herbaceous#delicate#small flowers#fantz#humidity tolerant#tropical feel#heavy shade tolerant#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Episcia
    Species:
    cupreata
    Family:
    Gesneriaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    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.
  • 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
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    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
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity