Growing Gloxinia Houseplants

A few years ago, a gloxinia-flowering houseplant (Sinningia speciosa) was considered a perennial; The plants would flower and then die back. After a period of dormancy, the plant grew again, delighting its owner with a fresh batch of large, velvety buds. Today’s gloxinias are hybrids bred to bloom quickly. These gloxinias display superb splendor for about two months, but once the flowers have faded the plant rarely returns as it puts all its energy into flowers rather than strong roots. As such, these plants are best grown as annuals, and since they are discarded after the flowering cycle, gloxinia flower care focuses on keeping the plant looking fresh during flowering.

Caring for the Gloxinia Plant Caring for gloxinia flowers is not too difficult. Place gloxinias in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. A location near a sunny window, out of reach of the sun’s rays, is ideal.

Growing gloxinia houseplants thrive at average room temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F. (16-24 C). Water gloxinias often enough to keep the soil moist. The leaves will stain brown when they get wet, so apply the water directly to the soil under the leaves. If allowed to dry out, gloxinias will go dormant. Use a liquid plant fertilizer high in phosphorus every two weeks for your flowering gloxinia houseplant.

Growing gloxinia houseplants thrive at average room temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F. (16-24 C). Water gloxinias often enough to keep the soil moist. The leaves will stain brown when they get wet, so apply the water directly to the soil under the leaves. If allowed to dry out, gloxinias will go dormant. Use a liquid plant fertilizer high in phosphorus every two weeks for your flowering gloxinia houseplant.