Flame violet care guide

The flame violet is a low, spreading plant with fuzzy, quilted leaves in copper, silver, pink, or chocolate. Small red-orange flowers peek out between the leaves. It is a cousin of the African violet. It sends out runners with baby plants on the ends, like a spider plant. It wants warmth and moist air, and it is safe for cats and dogs.

Light

Give it bright indirect light. An east window is ideal. It grows well under a grow light too.

Bright light brings out the leaf color and the flowers. Direct sun burns the leaves. In low light, the color dulls and the stems stretch.

Water

Keep the soil moist. Water when the surface just starts to dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. Bottom watering works well and keeps water off the leaves. See how to bottom water houseplants step by step.

Use room-temperature water. Cold water on the fuzzy leaves leaves pale or brown spots. Soggy soil rots the crown. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a light, airy African violet mix with extra perlite.

A shallow, wide pot or a hanging basket suits its spreading runners. Repot every year in spring, one size up, or start fresh from runners. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Flame violets need moist air. Aim for 50% humidity or higher. In dry air, the leaf edges brown and crisp. A humidifier helps. A terrarium or a glass cabinet is even better.

Keep it warm, between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F). Keep it above 15°C (60°F). Cold air and cold windows damage the leaves.

Feeding

Feed every two weeks in spring and summer with an African violet fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Runners

Flame violets send out thin runners with small plants on the ends. Let them trail over the pot edge, pin them into the soil to fill the pot, or cut them off and start new plants. Trim some runners to keep the main plant full.

Propagation

Pin a runner’s baby plant onto moist mix in a small pot beside the mother plant. Leave it attached. Once it roots, in two to three weeks, cut the runner.

You can also cut off a baby plant and set it on moist mix. Cover it with a clear lid to keep it humid until it roots.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Brown, crispy leaf edges	Dry air
Pale or brown spots on leaves	Cold water on the leaves
Leaves curl, darken, or drop	Cold
Dull color, long stems	Not enough light
Mushy crown	Too much water
No flowers	Not enough light, or too cool
White, cottony spots	Mealybugs

Pests

Mealybugs and aphids are the most common pests. Check the leaf joints and the undersides of the leaves. Dab mealybugs with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists flame violet, Episcia, as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Varieties

• ‘Pink Panther’ has green leaves and bright pink-red flowers.
• ‘Silver Skies’ has silvery leaves with green edges.
• ‘Chocolate Soldier’ has dark brown leaves with silver veins.
• ‘Cleopatra’ has green, white, and pink leaves. It is beautiful and fussy.
• Lace flower vine, Episcia dianthiflora, has small green leaves and white, fringed flowers.