African violets (Saintpaulia) aren't the only blooming tropical houseplant.  In fact, it is part of a larger family of plants call Gesneriads!

This family of plants has over 2000 known species, a few hundred of which are being grown by home gardeners.  In addition, like African violets, there are hundreds of others that have been introduced by hybridizers over the years and that the home gardener can now grow.

Every year, more and more species are being discovered and brought into cultivation.  Fortunately for all of us, most of them can be successfully grown in the home.  We grow some of the most unusual in our shop, and offer some of the easiest to grow, yet still unusual, for sale on the pages here.

Pictured at left:  Aeschynanthus humilis

Gesneriads fall into three different groups based upon their root structures: fibrous rooted, tuberous, and rhizomatous.

Fibrous-rooted members includes African violets and all of the gesneriads we offer for sale here.  These are generally the easiest to grow, since there is not dormant period and plants will continue to grow and bloom all year-round.  (Episcia 'Pink Dreams' shown at right).

Tuberous gesneriads include Sinningia Nautilocalyx, Chrysothemis, and a few others.  All are relatively easy to grow and bloom, but can go dormant if neglected or subjected to stress.  When this happens, simply keep the tuber and wait for it to produce new growth!

Rhizomatous gesneriads include Achimines, Smithiantha, and Kohleria, among many others.  These generally are very fast-growing, vigorous plants and many will grow and bloom easily in the home.  Like tuberous gesneriads, however, neglect or stress can send them into dormancy.  Again, simply save the healthy rhizomes and wait for them to produce new growth!

Aeschynanthus                    Alsobia                                    Chirita                               Codonanthe                                       Columnea

              Episcia                                 Kohleria                         Nematanthus                            Petrocosmea        Miniature Gesneriad

Check out some of the gesneriads that we offer.  We sell only those that will perform for the home gardener.  None are "tempermental" plants.  All will grow easily and bloom in the home with no more care than an African violet requires.  All listed below are easy-to-grow, fibrous-rooted plants.  Click on names below, pictures above, or on buttons in left margin, to view the different gesneriads available.

• Aeschynanthus.  The "lipstick" plant.  Bright tubular red or orange blooms.  Great plants for baskets or windowsills.
• Alsobia.  Small, spreading plants with exotic-looking, frilly and dotted, blooms. Blooms in white, cream, yellow.
• Chirita.  Relatively new to cultivation, these gesneriads are quickly becoming very popular among hobbyists.  Very tolerant plants, with growth habit similar to violets and blooms of blue, white, and yellow.
• Codonanthe.  Tiny-leaved plants great for the light garden or windowsill.  Most are ready and constant bloomers, even under less-than-ideal conditions.  Blooms in white, pink, and yellow.
• Columnea.  The "goldfish" plant.  Excellent for windows.  Graceful, spreading or cascading foliage and spectacular blooms of red, orange, and yellow.
• Episcia.  The "peacock plant" or "flame violet".  These are the most beautiful of all gesneriads, known for their very colorful, textured foliage.  Great under lights or in a warm window.  Blooms in blue, pink, red, and yellow.
• Kohleria.  One of the very easiest of all to grow.  A very vigorous grower and bloomer, even in windows.  Trumpet-shaped blooms in many colors, usually heavily spotted on face.  Most are very heavy and constant bloomers.
• Nematanthus.  The "guppy plant", these virtually indestructible plants are great for a bright window.  Thick, waxy, foliage and candy-corn blooms of yellow, orange, red, and brown.
• Petrocosmea.  These tiny plants produce foliage in nearly perfect rosettes of very glossy or very hairy leaves in many textures, and all will bloom in the home environment.  Many are very new to cultivation!  Blooms in shades of blue, lavender, and white.

    Miniature gesneriads. Small leaved or miniature species and hybrids of the many gesneriads we grow!

We grow many, many more at home!  Should you wish to see our complete collection, come and visit our shop and greenhouse!  We frequently offer some of the more unusual gesneriads through our "special offers" pages.  Check these out to complete your collection!

Click on names above, or on buttons in left margin, to view the different gesneriads available.

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