Gloxinia is a tropical blooming rhizomatous perennial, the only species in the Gesneriaceae family and is native to the mountains of tropical Columbia. The genus name is in honor of the German physician and botanist Benjamin Peter Gloxin. The plant is grown as much for its showy leaves as for the purple and white flowers. The velvety leaves are green and brown with whitish venation and the flowers are bell-shaped lavender to purple with the edges fading to white or pale lavender. This plant is usually grown as a house plant and also in terrariums. It sends out rhizomes that can quickly fill a pot. New plants can be started from these rhizomes. Prune as needed to prevent legginess. The plant will sometimes go dormant during the winter but will resprout from the rhizomes. This plant needs temperatures above 60 degrees, medium to high humid conditions and moist but well-drained soil. Avoid the afternoon sun as the leaves will burn. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
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.