Gloxinia Gloxinella lindeniana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Gloxinia:
Previously known as:
- Kohleria lindeniana
- Phonetic Spelling
- gloks-IN-el-luh lin-den-ee-AY-nuh
- Description
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Gloxinia is a tropical blooming rhizomatous perennial, the only species in the Gesneriaceae family and is native to the mountains of tropical Columbia. The genus name is in honor of the German physician and botanist Benjamin Peter Gloxin. The plant is grown as much for its showy leaves as for the purple and white flowers.
The velvety leaves are green and brown with whitish venation and the flowers are bell-shaped lavender to purple with the edges fading to white or pale lavender. This plant is usually grown as a house plant and also in terrariums. It sends out rhizomes that can quickly fill a pot. New plants can be started from these rhizomes. Prune as needed to prevent legginess. The plant will sometimes go dormant during the winter but will resprout from the rhizomes.
This plant needs temperatures above 60 degrees, medium to high humid conditions and moist but well-drained soil. Avoid the afternoon sun as the leaves will burn.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- 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:
- Gloxinella
- Species:
- lindeniana
- Family:
- Gesneriaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Colombia
- Distribution:
- Colombia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Bell-shaped flowers with 5 petals are deeper purple at the throat and fade to lavender or white at the edges. Flowers best in humid conditions
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Varigated fuzzy leaves are green and brown with whitish veins and red undersides
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
