Episcia 'Pink Brocade' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar and a member of the gloxinia family (Gesneriaceae). It is a slow-growing, tropical houseplant with velvety, dark green leaves variegated with pink and creamy white. It grows 6 to 8 inches tall and has a trailing and cascading habit with stoloniferous stems. Its flowers are trumpet-shaped and bright orange-red. It is also known as the flame violet and flame African violet. The genus is native to the tropical forests of Southern Mexico and South America. The genus name Episcia is derived from the Greek word episkios , meaning shaded. Prefers bright, indirect light and needs moist, well-drained, fertile soil, warm temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and high humidity between 60 to 80%. Avoid drafts and keep the plant consistently moist. It is hardy in zones 11 to 12. Avoid overwatering, as root rot can occur. To maintain high humidity, a humidifier is recommended, or place the plant container on a bed of wet pebbles. Best propagated by stem cuttings. To maintain the plant's shape, pinch back leggy stems. 'Pink Brocade' can be a challenge to grow, but once you find a good spot that keeps it happy, don't move it around. It will grow in terrarium-type conditions and is ideal for a hanging basket. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect pests include aphids and mealybugs. Fungal leafspots, stem blights, and root rots occasionally occur. Leaves scorch in full direct sun, and dieback occurs if too much water or too little air circulation. The leaf margins may turn brown due to low humidity and dry conditions. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can also damage the leaves. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common African violet diseases and insect pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading; Creeping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Green; Pink; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, ovate, velvety, dark green with variegations of pink and creamy white. The leaves are soft and fuzzy, much like an African violet.
Flower color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Trumpet
Flower detail
The flowers are 5-petaled, trumpet-shaped, and bright red to deep orange, lasting 2-3 days.