These creeping, tropical perennials are natives of Brazil, Colombia, Guinea, and Surinam. They make great plants for hanging baskets. Episcia lilacina has reddish-purple, velvety leaves and pale lilac or lavender flowers. Episcia reptans has puckered, brownish-green leaves that are marked with silvery green. They produce scarlet flowers that are fringed along the borders. Episcia dianthiflora, the Lace flower, is a beautiful plant with thick, oval, velvety dark green leaves that are toothed along the edge. The white flowers are tubular with fringed petals. The Lace Flower reaches a height of 4 inches. Episcia cupreata, the Flame Violet, has crinkly, thick, fuzzy, oval leaves that are purple with silver veins. The small, tubular flowers are scarlet with a yellow throat. This plant also grows up to 4 inches high. There are several others that will be described below in the varieties section.

Episcias need a minimum temperature of 60 degrees, so in cool climates they will need to be grown indoors. They should be grown in loose, woodsy soil consisting of loam, peat moss, leaf mold and sand with a little crushed charcoal added. Their soil needs to be continuously moist while they are growing freely, but not waterlogged. They should be provided with a humid atmosphere. They should be placed in bright, indirect sunlight with shade from harsh summer sun.

In the summer, cuttings may be taken or seeds may be sown on the surface of the soil. Leaf cuttings and runners may also be used.

F=flowers
L=leaves
 
Episcia lilacina;
Episcia cupreata;
Episcia reptans;
Episcia dianthiflora; Lady Lou (L. pink veins);
Episcia Tropical Topaz (F. yellow).
 
Hybrids include:
 
Episcia Acajou (L. fuzzy, marked w/ silver & brown);
Episcia Chocolate Soldier (L. green & chocolate colored);
Episcia Emerald Queen (L. hairy, emerald green);
Episcia Frosty (L. bright green covered w/ silver hair & a broad midrib of silver);
Episcia Harlequin (L. smooth greenish white w/ dark brown edges);
Episcia Pinkiscia (L. dark brown, F. pink);
Episcia Sylvan Beauty (L. smooth, silvery green w/ light brown perimeters);
Episcia Westwood (L. silvery, hairy edged w/ medium brown).