Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Sinningia speciosa or Florist's gloxinia

The genus Sinningia, Gesneriaceae family, comprises 65 species of herbaceous and perennial tuberous plants native to Tropical America, especially Brazil. Some species are: Sinningia speciosa, Sinningia brasiliensis, Sinningia tubiflora, Sinningia cooperi.

Common names: Gloxinia, Brazilian gloxinia, Florist's gloxinia. This species is native to Brazil.

They are small herbaceous plants with tuberous roots that reach 40 cm (15.74") in height. The fleshy leaves are oval, hairy and appear in a rosette from the base of the flower stem. The pretty flowers are bell-shaped, and the velvety petals can be different colors. They bloom in summer and fall, although they can do so in other seasons.

Florist's gloxinia is used as indoor or greenhouse plants because it's a not easy to grow plant.

Sinningia speciosa needs a very bright exposure but no direct sun. This tropical plant does not resist the cold and need average temperatures of 20 ºC (7.87 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 1/3 coarse sand, 1/3 heather soil, and 1/3 leaf mulch. Planting is done at the end of winter.

Water regularly during flowering with a glass of water per plant (do not wet the leaves or flowers). After flowering reduce watering and do not water when the leaves turn yellow; now is the time to remove the tubers and store them in a cool, dry place.

Prune withered flowers.

Fertilize every 15 days during flowering with mineral fertilizer.

Sinningia speciosa can be attacked by aphids, thrips and fungal diseases (fungi) if there is excess watering.

Brazilian gloxinia is propagated by division of the tubers, from seeds and by cuttings of leaves.

Images of the indoor plant Sinningia speciosa or Florist's gloxinia