Flame Episcia reptans
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- eh-PISH-ee-ah REP-tanz
- Description
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Flame violet is a tropical perennial native to the tropics of South America in the African violet family. These plants have showy variegated leaves and bright red solitary flowers. They grow in a rosette with lateral creeping stolons.
These plants need indirect sunlight, warmth and high humidity but do not tolerate water on their leaves. Use this plant in a container with fertile well-drained soils. They look great in a hanging pot, terrarium or in a greenhouse. These plants can be difficult to grow, especially in winter when the humidity is low and days are short. Be sure to cut back on watering in winter to prevent root rot. If the plant is looking poor after winter, it can easily be propagated by stem cuttings.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include aphids and 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
- 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:
- reptans
- Family:
- Gesneriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical Americas
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round capsule 1 mm in size
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Trumpet-shaped flowers with a spurred base and up to 1.5 inches across. Ring of hairs in the throuat.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Elliptical variegated hairy leaves with serrate to crenulate margins. Apex acute or obtuse, base rounded or subcordate. They can be 2-6 inches long and 1-4 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Vertical stolons grow from the rosette.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Small Space
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
