Episcias - Striking Cousins of the African Violet

It is a rare occasion for a really NEW plant to be introduced and episcias, popularly known as “flame violets” are by no means new to house plant collections. They have, however, from time to time had a rapid climb in popularity as a so-called “new” plant, and can easily be obtained by mail order, some local greenhouses, and occasionally garden centers.

Episcias thrive on warmth (72-75 degree minimum, up to 90) and much moisture in the air in the room in which they are grown. Their name, pronounced e-piss’-i-ah, is derived from the Greek word episkios meaning shady, and this furnishes a clue to their culture. Window gardeners in areas with many bright winter days can grow episcias the year round in north windows. They will also grow beautifully in other exposures. One of my friends in Oklahoma grows magnificent specimens in unshaded east and west windows of her home.

Episcias produce “runners,” called stolons, much like those of strawberries. These runners may be pinned into another pot of moist soil next to the mother plant, where they will root in a short time, and they may then be severed from the old plant. Episcias will also grow from leaf cuttings which are taken in the same manner as those of African violets and gloxinias. Episcias are, however, rather slow from leaves, and stolons are produced in such abundance, it is rarely advantageous to use a leaf cutting.

Episcias like a loose, spongy soil, but one that is also rich in organic matter. I use a soil mix made for African violets. But, any soil mixture that grows good gloxinias or African violets should be satisfactory for your episcias. House plant fertilizer may be applied to them when they are in active growth. They go into semi-dormancy in the fall of the year, and they usually begin to pick up in December, and by February they are in luxurious growth.

Must Have Humidity

Episcias should produce large, flat leaves, stolons and flowers. If they do not have enough humidity, it is not likely that any of these pleasing results will occur. To supply ample humidity, set your plants on a tray of pebbles or for one larger pot, set it into a larger container and pack moist sphagnum moss between the two. Keep this moist at all times. Some sunlight in the winter months is necessary for blossoms.

Episcias are beautiful no matter whether they are in bloom or not, and to keep the foliage in top showoff condition, give them a bath as often as needed to keep them free of dust. Use water of room temperature and keep them out of sunlight until the leaves are dry.

Growers offer many espicia varieties, and all of them are worthwhile. In addition to their usefulness in the window garden, they cannot be excelled for use in the home greenhouse for late winter, spring and summer color. The episcias in my greenhouse spend the summer along a north wall where they have strong light, but no direct sunlight except early in the morning and late in the evening. They produce hundreds of blossoms and stolons in this atmosphere.

In our home, we make attractive use of extra stolons by clipping them and placing them in small containers of water in north windows and on our dining room table. They thrive in water for several weeks. After this period of water culture, we pot them in a regular potting soil.

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