Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) Care Indoors and Common Problems
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Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) grows best in bright light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, African Violet potting mix coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Episcia cupreata is one of the best flowering plants on account of its large leaves quilted with silvery or pale-green veins and tubular orange-red flowers which are yellow-eyed and about 3/4 inches in diameter.
Due to its high requirement for high humidity, it may be difficult to grow as a stand alone plant or in a hanging basket. However, Flame Violet Plant 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, it is not as popular as its well-known relative, the African Violet. This is due to its requirement for highly humid conditions which places it among the popular plants for the bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist places in the home.
Flame Violet Episcia produces runners which root in surrounding soil where they form plantlets that are used for propagation.
Botanical name: Episcia cupreata
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common names: Flame Violet, Flame Violet Episcia, Violet Flame Plant
Origin
Episcia cupreata is a perennial flowering plant which is native to Brazil, Columbia and Venezuela.
Varieties
Flame Violet Plant Varieties include many hybrids like Amazon, Metallica, Cleopatra, Harlequin and Acajou among others.
Toxicity
As listed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Flame Violet Episcia is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is safe for cats and dogs.
Related Plants
Flame Violet care is similar to that of its close relatives African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) and Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa).
Where to Buy Flame Violets
Flame Violets are a spectacular addition to any collection. You may acquire these plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Flame Violet Plant Care Indoors
Flame Violet Plant performs best in bright light away from direct sunshine, average warmth of 15-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, African Violet potting mix coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Episcia cupreata care also requires repotting only when extremely pot-bound as it blooms best when root-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep the plant neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Flame Violet grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can scorch the leaves.
If light is too little, the plant will be leggy and will not flower. Therefore, you may grow Episcia cupreata under grow lights where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant is receiving light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.
Watering
Water your Flame Violet thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moist through out.
Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it can lead to wilting and leaf drop.
Make sure that the pot has a draiange hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Average room temperature of 15-270C with a minimum of 130C is ideal for Flame Violet Plant. Protect it from cold drafts to prevent leaf fall and reduced growth.
Episcia cupreata requires a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity may lead to brown leaf tips and edges. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. You may grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other humid places in the home.
Regularly clean the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Flame Violet Episcia with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Stop feeding in the growth season as growth is minimal at this and feeding can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Potting Mix
Flame Violet soil should be loose, well-drained and rich in organic matter. African violet potting mixes are perfect for these plants.
Repotting
Repot your Violet Flame Plant at the beginning of the growing season in a pot one size larger than the current one only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Being pot-bound encourages flowering.
Make sure that 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. Check out these self watering planters on Amazon.
Pruning
Prune Flame Violet by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Pinch off the growing tips in young plants to encourage a bushy and compact growth. Cutback the plant after flowering to 1/2 of its height to encourage new growth from which the flowers arise.
Propagation
Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) propagation is best done from leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or by plant division at the beginning of the growing season (spring).
Read more on how to propagate Flame Violet Plant (Episcia cupreata) in 5 easy ways.
Episcia cupreata Problems and Remedies
Flame Violet problems include wilting, leaf drop, brown leaf tips and edges, lack of blooms, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
The common plant pests in Flame Violet are spider mites, scale insects and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants. Read more on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges in Flame Violet Plant 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 elevate humidity. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
No flowers (blooms)
There are three possible reasons why Flame Violet Episcia will not bloom (flower). One possible reason is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The second possible reason why Violet Flame Plant is not blooming (flowering) is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which promotes foliage growth at the expense of flower production. Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.
The third possible reason why Flame Violet is not blooming (flowering) is underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Wilting and drooping leaves
Wilting and drooping leaves in Episcia cupreata are caused by underwatering. Water the plant liberally and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Lessen watering in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely as it can cause the leaves to wilt and droop. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Dropping leaves
Leaf drop (loss) in Flame Violet Plant are due to exposure of the plant to cold drafts and exposure to direct sunlight. Keep it away from cold drafts like windy doors and windows to maintain warm room temperatures. Shield it from direct sunlight by use of light curtain.
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