Gloxinia, how is it cared for?

Gloxinia is a herbaceous plant

Gloxinia is a small plant ideal to have in a pot decorating the interior of the home, either in the living room or in the kitchen. It is very decorative, but also very demanding, and is that it tends to rot very easily; sometimes too much.

But we not only have to control the risks well, but also the temperatures. Let's see how to have a healthy Gloxinia for a long time, and what to do in case you get sick.

Origin and characteristics of the gloxinia plant

Gloxinia blooms in summer

Image - Wikimedia / Christer T Johansson

Gloxinia, scientifically known by the name of Sinningia comely, is a tuberous plant native to Brazil that can (and indeed must if in winter temperatures drop below 10ºC) live indoors. Although that is not a problem, since it only grows up to 40 centimeters tall.

It has green leaves, with an oval shape and a somewhat fleshy texture that grow to form a rosette from whose center its flowers sprout. These are beautiful, and of a good size: they can measure about 10 centimeters.

When does gloxinia bloom?

Gloxinia is a plant that blooms in summer, but you can do it until fall if the temperatures are warm. When it does, we will see that its flowers are flared, and that the petals when touched are very soft.

They are quite delicate, to the point that they rot quickly if sprayed with water on a daily basis. For this reason, you should avoid doing so.

What does the gloxinia flower mean?

They are very pretty, so often They are usually given when you want to have a date with someone very special, or when you want to express the love we feel.

Now, beyond that, growing it on a terrace or in a living room will allow us to have the most joyful stay.

What is the care of the gloxinia plant?

Gloxinia is a very beautiful plant, but also a delicate one. Keep in mind that it is tropical, and that it needs high humidity. And is that if it were not, the leaves would dry. But this does not mean that it has to be watered frequently. Let's see in detail how to take care of it:

Moisture and irrigation

It is very demanding, because although it needs high humidity, do not spray the leaves as they could rot. It is much more advisable to put bowls with water and small aquatic plants around it, thus creating a very special corner.

Likewise, it is also important that, when watering, a plate is placed underneath, which will be removed after 30 minutes have passed. We will water very occasionally, always letting the substrate dry completely before watering again.

Substrate or soil

In order to reduce the risk of rotting, it is recommended that it be planted in well-drained soils. Likewise, if it is going to be potted, the most suitable substrate will be, for example, a universal substrate mixture (for sale here) with 20% perlite or coconut fiber (for sale here).

But it will also be necessary for said container to have drainage holes in its base, since if it were planted in one that did not have, the roots would not take long to die from excess water.

Subscriber

Gloxinia is a small plant

Image - Wikimedia / WingkeeLEE

The subscriber it will be done especially during flowering, that is, in summer and autumn. For this, liquid mineral fertilizers for flowering plants will be used (such as this), or if you prefer natural fertilizers such as guano (for sale here), also liquid so that the plant can absorb it better and faster.

But yes, you have to follow the indications of what to use that we can read on the product packaging. This is very, very important, because if we make the mistake of adding more than the indicated amount, the gloxinia plant could not bear it, and in any case the roots would suffer damage.

Plagues and diseases

If we talk about diseases, you should know that these can be avoided if the substrate is prevented from being flooded. But once fungi or similar microorganisms such as oomycetes (those of the genre Phytophthora are the most common) appear, unfortunately the only solution is to get rid of the plant.

As for pests, they usually attack you especially trips and aphids, which is solved by increasing ambient humidity and wiping the leaves with gauze or a cotton swab moistened with a little water (enough so that you can feel it is wet, but not dripping).

Multiplication

Gloxinia multiplies by leaf cuttings and by seeds in spring-summer:

  • Leaf cuttings: one with the petiole is cut (that is, with the stem that holds it together with the rest of the plant), and only the petiole is immersed in a glass of water. This water has to be changed every 3 days. When it already has large roots, it will proceed to plant in a pot with coconut fiber.
  • Seeds: they have to be sown in pots with soil for seedbeds for example, and covering them a little with this substrate and putting them in semi-shade. If all goes well, they will germinate in about a week.

Rusticity

Can't stand cold at all. As soon as the temperatures begin to drop below 18ºC we will have to take it inside the house if we have had it outside until that moment, putting it away from the windows.

Gloxinias are delicate plants

Image - Wikimedia / Kor! An (Корзун Андрей)

Gloxinia is a very interesting flowering plant, don't you think?


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  1.   myriam said

    Hello I love your page but outside of this, very interesting- I ask. can gloxinia be maintained with 4-leaf clovers?

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      I'm glad you like it, Myriam.
      Unfortunately you cannot put a clover with a Gloxinia, as it grows very fast and would end up suffocating its roots.
      A greeting.

      1.    Peace Jara said

        Good afternoon, yesterday I bought a gloxinia and your comment has helped me a lot, but I have a question
        To the man who bought the plant, he told me to have it in a dish with water, and that she would take it by herself, to which, since yesterday I have had it in a dish with water, and he takes it, and I fill him with again, and so continuously, I wanted to know if that is okay, or how should I do it correctly, I await your response, greetings

        1.    Monica Sanchez said

          Hello Paz Jara.

          It depends a lot on the climate and the location of the plant, but in general it is not good to have a dish always full of water, since its roots rot easily.

          I recommend you water it from the top, that is, pour water from the top - trying not to wet the leaves or flowers - until you see that it comes out through the drainage holes. So about 2 or 3 times a week in summer and 1-2 weeks the rest of the year.

          If you have questions, contact us.

          Regards!

    2.    Hydrangea said

      I have one is full of flowers but before they open they die

      1.    Monica Sanchez said

        Hello Hydrangea.
        Have you checked if they have any plagues? How often do you water it?

        It is important that the pot has holes in the base and that the soil is allowed to dry a little before watering. Also, if you have a plate under it, you must remove the excess water after each irrigation.

        If you have doubts, tell us.

        Greetings.

  2.   Alejandra said

    Hi Monica, I really like your page and it has helped me a lot to inform me about the plants that I have. However, I would like to know if there is any type of pest or fungus that can directly affect the gloxinia flower, since I plant the bulbs that it has are rotting or withering before flowering. I do not know if it is the environment or something that I have not done well. I hope you can help me.
    Thanks in advance!!!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Alejandra.
      Thanks for your words.
      Just one question: when you water, do you do it from above? I mean, do you wet the leaves and flowers? If so, it is not good to do so as they rot.
      In the event that you don't, I recommend fertilizing them with fertilizers rich in phosphorus and potassium, to promote flowering.
      A greeting.

  3.   zuly said

    Hello, I want to know if gloxinia seeds come out and what are they thanks because I do not know about plants

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Zuly.
      Yes, all plants give seeds. Those of gloxinia are the ones you can see in this link.
      A greeting.

  4.   Carla jara said

    Hello, I bought a plant two days ago and I am interested in transplanting it, will it be convenient to do it in summer? what precautions should I take?

    Thank you!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi Carla.
      The ideal is to change it pot in spring, but it is also true that it is a strong plant.

      You can change it in summer, but be careful not to manipulate its roots too much. Do it in a place protected from direct sun, and when you have finished, water it well and put it in semi-shade until you see that it grows again.

      Greetings.

  5.   Alison Gutierrez Arroyo placeholder image said

    Hello Monica! Thank you very much for the article, I found it very informative. I wanted to ask you .. I recently acquired a Gloxinia with various bulbs and some flowers. They are already wilting and I was wondering the correct way to remove the flowers so as not to mistreat it and if possible to acquire seeds. I remain attentive and in advance thank you very much for all the help that can be given me:)!

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Alison.

      The flowers, if pollinated, will begin to produce the fruit, which will be dry capsules. Inside these capsules will be the seeds, ready for sowing.

      When you have picked that fruit, you can cut everything, leaving only the leaves.

      Regards!

  6.   Valeria said

    Hello Moni, I hope you are very well.
    A month ago I acquired a beautiful gloxinia and I did not know that I should not wet leaves or flowers 🙁 I notice it very decayed but it is alive, I want to know if there is something I can do for it so that it begins to lift its leaves, I also wanted to know if it is good put a little eggshell on it. Thanks

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hi valeria.

      I recommend you suspend watering for a few days, until you see that the land is dry. If you have a plate under the pot, you have to remove it, or if not remove the water it contains, as this will have a lower risk of the roots rotting.

      You can add egg shells, a few and well chopped.

      We hope it improves.