How to grow and care for Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) Indoors
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Botanical name: Episcia cupreata
Family: Gesneriaceae
Description
Flame Violet is an eye-catching houseplant which is grown for its large leaves quilted with silvery or pale-green veins. Flame Violet bears tubular orange-red flowers which are yellow-eyed and about 3/4 in. diameter.
The Flame Violet produces runners which root in surrounding soil where they form plantlets that are used for propagation.
Due to its high requirement for high humidity, Flame Violet may be difficult to grow as a stand alone plant or in a hanging basket.
However, Flame Violet is an excellent ground cover between taller plants where it can enjoy the increased humidity in the group of plants.
Though an attractive trailing plant, Flame Violet is not as popular as its well-known relative, the African Violet. This is due to its requirement for highly humid conditions.
Origin
Flame Violet is a perennial flowering plant which is native to Brazil, Columbia and Venezuela.
Varieties
Flame Violet has produced many hybrids like Amazon, Metallica, Cleopatra, Harlequin and Acajou among others.
Buy beautiful and healthy Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) from Etsy.
Related Plants
Gloxinia care is similar to that of its close relatives African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) and Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa).
Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) Care Indoors
Light Requirements
Flame Violet grows best in bright light away from direct sunshine. It can also grow under a under grow light where natural light in not sufficient.
Exposure of the plant to direct sunlight will result in sunscorched leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Flame Violet
Water Flame Violet thoroughly during the growing season to maintain the soil moist through out. Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist.
Do not allow the soil to dry out as it can lead to wilting and laef drop in Flame Violet.
Ensure the pot has a draiange hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of your plant. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Temperature
Average room temperature with a minimum of 130C is ideal for Flame Violet.
Protect it from cold draughts to prevent leaf fall. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity
Flame Violet grows best in humid conditions. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Flame Violet with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
Withhold feeding during the growth season as growth is minimal at this and feeding can cause fertilizer burn. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Prune Flame Violet
Prune Flame Violet by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
Pinch off the growing tips in young plants to encourage a bushy growth.
Cutback the plant after flowering to 1/2 of its height to encourage new growth from which the flowers arise.
How to Repot Flame Violet
Repot Flame Violet at the beginning of the growing season in a pot one size larger than the previous one only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Being pot-bound encourages flowering in Flame Violet.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining soil to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.
The best soil for Flame Violet should be free-draining and rich in organic matter like African Violet potting mix.
Propagation
Flame Violet can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from the plantlets borne on the runners.
How to propagate Flame Violet from plantlets
Detach the Flame Violets plantlets from the mother and pot them in their individual pot or pot several plantlets in one pot for a bushy plant.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting of the plant.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until the new Flame Violet plants are well established.
Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) Problems Indoors
Wilting and drooping leaves
Wilting and drooping leaves in Flame Violet is caused by underwatering.
Water the Flame Violet thoroughly and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season but reduce watering in the cold season and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Dropping leaves
Leaf drop (loss) in Flame Violet are due to exposure of the plant to cold draughts and exposure to direct sunlight.
Protect your Flame Violet from cold draughts to maintain warm temperatures and protect the plant from direct sunlight.
Flame Violet brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Flame Violet are caused by too low air humidity for the plant.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
No flowers (blooms)
There are three possible reasons why Flame Violet will not bloom (flower). One possible reason why Flame Violet will not bloom (flower) is too little light.
Move your Flame Violet to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light away from direct sunlight. It can also grow under grow light where natural light in not sufficient.
The second possible reason why Flame Violet is not blooming (flowering) is feeding with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which promotes foliage growth at the expense of flower production.
Feed Flame Violet with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
The third possible reason why Flame Violet is not blooming (flowering) is underwatering.
Water Flame Violet thoroughly and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season but reduce watering in the cold season. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Pests
The common plant pests in Flame Violet are Spider Mite, Scale Insects and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Is Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) toxic?
As listed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is safe to grow in the home.
