Gloxinia Plant (Sinningia speciosa) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Propagation, Problems

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Sinningia speciosa also called Gloxinia Plant, Florist's Gloxinia or Brazilian Gloxinia is among favored flowering plants on account of its large, velvety, brightly-colored blooms and its dark green, hairy, oval-shaped leaves which form a basal rosette.

To keep Gloxinia thriving, keep it away from drafty conditions, regularly remove dead flowers and damaged leaves and do not leave the soil to dry out for a long period.

Keep the Gloxinia moderately pot-bound to promote flowering. Use a plastic pot to reduce water loss as they like the soil to be consistently moist.

Botanical name: Sinningia speciosa
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: Gloxinia, Florist's Gloxinia, Brazilian Gloxinia

Origin

Sinningia speciosa is native to the tropical regions of Brazil.

Size

Florist's Gloxinia is a compact tuberous, shrub which grows to a height of 8 inches and a width of about 10 inches

Flowers

Brazilian Gloxinia flowers are large, velvety, brightly colored borne on thin stems above the foliage. They may be single-flowered or double-flowered and come in a range of colors like white, pink, purple, lavender, red, spotted and other patterns.

Related Plants

Gloxinia Plant care is similar to that of its close relatives African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) and Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata).

Is Sinningia speciosa poisonous?

No. Sinningia speciosa are non-toxic to both humans and pets as listed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Gloxinia are safe for children, cats, dogs and other pets but they should not be eaten.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to acquire Gloxinia Plants for your collection? You may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Sinningia speciosa Indoors

Gloxinia Plant care indoors entails giving it bright indirect light, warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, African Violet soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Sinningia speciosa requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations, to promote flowering and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is need when the plant outgrows its current pot as it blooms best when pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Gloxinia?

Do not water on a schedule. Water Gloxinia Plant liberally in spring and summer until water drips from the bottom. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to slightly dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf drop.

Lessen watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. However, never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period, as underwatering can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Being a tropical plant, water the plant with room temperature water, to avoid cold shock which can result in reduced growth and leaf drop. Use chlorine-free water like rainwater or filtered water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Select a pot with a drainage hole and a well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and eventual plant death. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. You may water from the bottom or use the immersion watering method.

Light Requirements

How much sun does Gloxinia need?

None. Gloxinia grows best in bright indirect light; place it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching of the leaves.

If the light is too low for Sinningia speciosa, it will begin to yellow, exhibit legginess and may drop its leaves. Where the natural light in not sufficient, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Gloxinia prefers a warmth of 18-24⁰C; a temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for the plant. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden temperature changes as they can cause stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Sinningia speciosa has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. However, for lush growth and to reduce pest infestation, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity. Ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Does Gloxinia need fertilizer?

Yes. Feed Gloxinia with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Do not feed in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding can lead to fertilizer burn.

Potting Soil

What kind of soil does Gloxinia need?

The best potting soil for Gloxinia should be well-drained and rich in organic matter. An African Violet potting mix is great for this plant.

Repotting

Keep your Gloxinia pot-bound to promote flowering. Repot at the beginning of the growing period, only when the soil becomes compacted. Use a pot that is half as wide as the plant. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent sogginess which can lead to rotting. Check out these self watering pots on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Gloxinia Plant is easy. Remove spent blooms and any side shoots to encourage development of more flowers.

Get rid of dead leaves to keep the plant neat as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

Remove the bottom 2-4 leaves monthly to balance out the appearance and to encourage growth of new leaves. The leaves can be used to propagate new plants.

You may cutback the plant at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth and promote a bushier, fuller growth.

Occasionally clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush to get rid of dust to increase the surface are for light absorption.

What to do with Gloxina after flowering

Gloxina requires to undergo a dormancy rest period to induce flowering.

After flowering, place the plant in a cool place and cut down on watering.

When the leaves dry, cut them away with a sharp sterilized knife or a pair of scissors.

Allow the soil to dry out and retain the tubers in their pot. Store the pots in a dark location at 15-18⁰C for about 2-3 months.

After this rest period, repot the tubers in fresh soil and moisten the soil lightly until there is new growth.

Place the pots in bright indirect light, water, fertilizer and begin routine care.

Sinningia speciosa Propagation

How do you propagate Sinningia speciosa?

Sinningia speciosa (Gloxinia) is best propagated from leaf cuttings, by plant division or by seeds germination, at the beginning of the growing season.

1. Propagating Gloxinia from leaf cuttings

1. Take a leaf cutting with the petiole still attached.


2. Insert the leaf petiole in moist, well-drained soil and cover with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.


3. Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.


4. Maintain the soil moist through out until new growth is observed. New plants should develop at the base of the petiole in about 4-6 weeks.


5. Carefully seperate the new plants and plant them in individual pots.


6. Position the pots in warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out.


7. Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Gloxinia by plant division

1. Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Carefully divide a large plant into sections while ensuring each section has enough roots.


3. Pot these sections in individual pots in moist, free-draining soil.


4. Position the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight.


5. Keep the soil moist until the new plant is well established and then begin routine care.

3. Growing Gloxinias from seeds

1. Spread the seeds evenly on moist, free-draining soil and do not cover with any soil as the seeds are very tiny.


2. Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect.


3. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


4. Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface.


5. Begin thinning of crowded seedlings when the leaves are about 1/4 inch wide.


6. Transplant the new plants when the largest leaf is about 0.5 inches wide after which you can begin routine care.

Sinningia speciosa Problems & Remedies

What are common Gloxinia Plant problems?

Gloxina plant common problems are flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, yellowing leaves, brown leaf spots, pests, diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Flowerbud drop

Flowerbud drop on Gloxinia Plant is caused by low light, dry air, soggy soil, inconsistent water, temperature stress or sudden changes.

How to fix it

Low light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to elevate humidity.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources among others.

Sudden changes: Do not move or repot a plant that is in flower to prevent shock.

Lack of blooms

Lack of blooms on Gloxinia Plant is caused by insufficient light, nutrients deficiency, dry air, too frequent repotting or lack of pruning.

How to fix it

Insufficient light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light of about 12 hrs a day or instal grow lights if the natural light in not adequate.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer.

Dry air: Group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to stepup humidity.

Too frequent repotting: Repot the plant only when its is extremely pot-bound.

Lack of pruning: Remove the lower leaves; too many leaves cause the plant to divert energy to growing leaves rather than flowers.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain a warmth of 18-24⁰C.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Gloxinia Plant are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, dry air, direct sunlight or salts buildup.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feel dry to touch; do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Direct sunlight: Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight; give it with bright filtered light.

Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots on Gloxinia Plant are caused by water droplets falling on the leaves during watering. Avoid wetting the leaves or water the plant from the bottom instead.

Pests

Common pests of Gloxinia are mealybugs, fungus gnats, scale insects, spider mites and aphids.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to depress the pests populations.

Diseases

Gloxinia Plant is susceptible to the following diseases:

1. Powdery mildew which is prevalent in overdamp conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It presents with moldy leaves and flowers.

How to fix it

1. Cut off diseased parts and discard or burn to prevent spread.


2. Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Keep the affected plant warm and ensure good air circulation.


4. Do not mist the plant as moisture on the foliage creates favorable conditions for this disease.

2. Crown-rot disease due to overwatering and wide fluctuations in temperature. It is characterized by limp leaves and a rotten crown center. The disease is infectious and difficult to control.

Remove and destroy the affected plant as soon as possible to prevent spread to other the other plants.

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