Episcia – Episcia spp. (mostly E. cupreata)

Common Name: Episcia

Botanical Name: Episcia spp. (mostly E. cupreata), e-PIS-i-a

Decorative Life: Many months to years.

Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

• Member of the Gesnerianace (gesneria family) with common relatives including African violet, cape-primrose and gloxinia.
• Most species native to South America.

• Episcia are mostly grown for their colorful foliage and to a lesser degree for their flowers although they are also beautiful. Because of their cascading growth habit, they are well suited for hanging baskets.

Very chill sensitive.

• From the Greek “episkios” for shaded, referring to the natural cascading habitat of these plants.

Using E. reptans, Chen and Patterson (1985) showed that exposing plants to chilling temperatures for as little as one hour caused an increase in ethylene production and the development of subsequent chilling symptoms.