Gesneriaceae, the African violet family often called gesneriad plants or gesneriads, represents one of the most rewarding yet underappreciated plant groups for indoor gardening enthusiasts. Gesneriads boast an incredible range of forms, textures, and growing habits. From the familiar African Violet to the trailing Goldfish Plant, this family offers something for every home and skill level. What makes these plants particularly special is their ability to produce stunning, bright-colored flowers with typical indoor conditions. They are also non-toxic and safe for pets!
Gesneriads are primarily native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The family is named after Swiss naturalist Conrad Gesner, though ironically, he never actually studied the plants that would later bear his name. They contain an impressive diversity with over 150 genera and more than 3,000 species. Gesneriads display remarkable variety in growth habits—from compact rosettes to trailing vines to upright shrubs. They are typically characterized by their opposite leaves, tubular flowers, and unique fruit capsules.
General Care for Gesneriad Plants
- Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Morning sun is usually tolerated, but avoid harsh afternoon rays.
- Water: Keep soil moist but not soggy. Many gesneriad plants prefer to dry slightly between waterings.
- Humidity: Most appreciate humidity levels of 40-60%. Consider grouping plants, using pebble trays, or growing them in naturally humid rooms, like bathrooms or kitchens.
- Temperature: Comfortable home temperatures between 65-80°F are perfect for most varieties.
- Soil: A light, well-draining mix is crucial. Many gesneriads perform beautifully in African Violet soil or a mixture of potting soil, perlite, and peat.
- Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength during active growth periods.
Pistils Favorite Gesneriad Genera
Saintpaulia (African Violet)
Perhaps the most recognizable member of the Gesneriad plants family, African Violets have been beloved houseplants since Victorian times. Their compact rosettes of velvety leaves crowned with purple, pink, white, or blue flowers make them perfect for windowsills and small spaces.
African Violets have been extensively hybridized, resulting in an astonishing variety of flower forms, colors, and leaf patterns. The species of Saintpaulia are now more difficult to find than cultivated varieties, but there are so many amazing hybrids and cultivars that keep us collecting more.
Episcia (Flame Violet)
Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, Flame Violets are primarily grown for their spectacular foliage rather than their flowers (though the blooms are certainly a bonus). The leaves come in many colors and sheens, sometimes bright pink, sometimes dark velvet, and other times silver metallic.
These plants thrive in warm, humid environments with bright, indirect light. At Pistils, we've found that Episcia make excellent terrarium plants or bathroom residents where they can enjoy the extra moisture in the air. Keep their soil consistently moist but not soggy, protect them from cold temperatures, and avoid getting water on those beautiful leaves.
Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose)
Streptocarpus have become increasingly popular among gesneriad enthusiasts for their remarkable blooming capacity and easy care. The name means "twisted fruit," referring to the plant's unusual seed pods that spiral as they mature.
Cape Primroses produce large, showy flowers atop long, textured leaves that look similar to the unrelated Primrose (Primula). Modern hybrids offer an incredible color range from white and yellow to deep purple and blue, often with striking patterns or bicolor effects. Their ability to bloom nearly year-round with proper care makes them particularly rewarding houseplants.
Sinningia
The Sinningia genus contains huge shrubs, terrarium miniatures , and caudiciforms within the Gesneriad plants family. While the large, velvety-flowered Florist's Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) was once a Victorian parlor staple, we're particularly fond of other Sinningia that have become collector's favorites.
Miniature Sinningia (like Sinningia pusilla and S. muscicola) can grow happily in teacups or small terrariums, making them perfect for space-challenged plant lovers, while the caudex-forming varieties (like Sinningia leucotricha and S. bullata) can get rather large. There are even hardy Sinningia that we love to grow in our gardens.
Nematanthus (Goldfish Plant)
For those who love trailing plants, Nematanthus offers some of the most distinctive forms within the gesneriad family. Their unique flowers resemble leaping goldfish or colorful beaks, depending on the species.
The goldfish plant, Nematanthus gregarius, thrives in hanging baskets where its cascading stems can display both their unusual foliage and unusual blooms.
Aeschynanthus (Lipstick Plant)
Another excellent trailing gesneriad, the Lipstick Plant produces tubular red or orange flowers that emerge from dark calyces, creating the appearance of a lipstick tube. Their glossy, sometimes mottled foliage provides year-round interest even when the plant isn't flowering.
Honorable Mentions
- Primulina
- Columnea
- Streptocarpella
- Petrocosmea
- Drymonia
- Kohleria
- Alsobia
- Codonanthe
Why Gesneriad Plants Deserve a Place in Your Collection
- Tremendous diversity allows for collecting within one plant family
- Many varieties bloom reliably indoors when provided with proper care
- Available in sizes from miniature to substantial, suiting any space
- Offer interesting foliage textures and patterns even when not in bloom
- Many can be propagated from leaf cuttings, making them easy to share
- Non-toxic to you and your pets
We've found that Gesneriad plants offer something special for both beginners and experienced plant parents. Their relatively manageable size, adaptability to indoor conditions, and stunning blooms make them ideal houseplants for anyone looking to expand beyond the typical pothos-and-snake-plant collection.
At Pistils Nursery, we regularly stock various members of this fascinating plant family and can help you select the perfect Gesneriad plants for your specific growing conditions and aesthetic preferences.