Flame violet
Episcia cupreata
Also called Episcia and Carpet plant
Houseplant · FloweringIt spreads by runners like a strawberry, so one plant becomes a mat, and every plantlet roots as soon as it touches compost. What it will not forgive is cold water on the leaves or a room under 16°C.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Hard
- Water
- Every 5 daysSoak and hang — submerge the whole plant for twenty to thirty minutes.
- Light
- Medium indirect — bright shade
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- High
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 0.15 m tall · 0.4 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Colombia and Venezuela
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded in its genus
Its genus has been checked and nothing in it is listed as harmful — but this particular species has not been listed either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-05.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Ring-shaped pale patches where cold water sat. Water at the compost with tepid water and never over the leaves.Brown blotches on the velvet · disorder
- It sits and does nothing at all below 16°C, then rots at the crown. Warmth matters more to this plant than light.Stopping in a cool room · disorder