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Bright, indirect light; no direct sun (right in the window where sun actually hits the leaves. A strong grow light 4-6 inches away can substitute). Like its relative the African Violet, it grows equally well under fluorescent or grow lights, making it a good terrarium candidate.Light
Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, roughly weekly. Brown leaf edges usually mean the soil has gotten too dry.Water
high humidity (60-80%. Group your plants together, set them on a pebble tray with water, or run a humidifier nearby), 60-70%, is genuinely important for this plant. A pebble tray with water, a cool-mist humidifier nearby, or a terrarium setup will keep it happy.Humidity
warm temperatures (70-85F / 21-29C) above 65°F (18°C) year-round. This plant will decline below 60°F (15°C) and dies below 50°F (10°C). Hardy outdoors only in USDA Zones 10-12.Temperature
moderateDifficulty
Episcia cupreata plant

Flame Violet

Episcia cupreata

Moderate

Episcia cupreata is a low, trailing tropical perennial grown as much for its velvety, metallic-toned foliage as for its vivid red flowers with yellow eyes. The leaves are the real attraction here: oval, up to 4 inches long, and shimmering with coppery, silver, or bronze tones depending on the cultivar you choose. Your plant spreads by producing strawberry-like runners (stolons) that dangle from hanging baskets and root wherever they touch soil, making it an impressively generous self-propagator once it finds conditions it likes.

Episcia cupreata plant
Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Episcia cupreata plant
Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow Flame Violet

Light

Bright, indirect light; no direct

Water

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.

Humidity

60-80%

Temperature

warm temperatures (70-85F / 21-29C)

Soil

Loose, well-draining, humus-rich mix.

Propagation

Extremely easy from stolons (runners).

Common Problems

Spider mites and mealybugs.

Did You Know

Fun Facts

The genus name Episcia comes from the Greek episkios, meaning 'shaded,' which perfectly describes where you find this plant in nature: tucked under the canopy of tropical forest trees in dense, humid shade.

Pet Safety

Pet safe

Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans, confirmed by the ASPCA.

Sources

  1. Episcia cupreata | Gesneriad Reference Web (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  2. Gesneriads Turn on the Guiding Light - Smithsonian Plant Press (opens in new tab)Botanical Garden
  3. Episcia cupreata | Gesneriad Reference Web (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) - Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata) - Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  6. Gesneriads Turn on the Guiding Light - Smithsonian Plant Press (opens in new tab)Reference
  7. How to Grow and Care for Episcia - Houseplant 411 (opens in new tab)Reference
  8. How to Grow and Care for Episcia - Houseplant 411 (opens in new tab)Reference
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