The Florist Gloxinia is a popular houseplant. I usually see them for sale at my local garden centers in late fall. Gloxinia is a tuberous herb in the same family of plants (Gesneriaceae) as the popular African Violet. The large leaves of Gloxinia are soft and velvety and arranged in a rosette form. The large, brightly colored, trumpet-shaped flowers emerge from this rosette of foliage.

Gloxinia prefers high light (no direct sun) and warm temperatures. The plant goes dormant after the blooming phase. When it stops producing blooms and the leaves begin to yellow and wither, stop all watering and place the container in a cool, dry location. When new sprouts begin forming, move the plant back to higher light and resume regular watering. If preferred, you can dig the tuber, shake off the old soil and store the tuber in a brown paper bag in a cool dry place. Repot in fresh potting medium when the growing season resumes.

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