Episcia cupreata ‘Pink Brocade’

Cultivation history and natural range of Episcia cupreata ‘Pink Brocade’

‘Pink Brocade’ is a long-established named cultivar of Episcia cupreata, known for its pink, silver-green and bronze foliage. It has been grown under the ‘Pink Brocade’ name since at least the 1970s.

Episcia cupreata occurs naturally from Nicaragua through northern South America to northern Brazil, where it grows in wet tropical vegetation.

Care for Episcia cupreata ‘Pink Brocade’

• Light: Give bright filtered light. Gentle early sun can deepen the pink and silver colouring after gradual acclimatisation.
• Water: Keep the mix lightly and evenly moist. Water when the surface starts to dry and let excess water drain.
• Temperature: Keep the plant warm, around 18–26 °C, and above about 15 °C.
• Runners and propagation: Place a daughter rosette on lightly moist mix while it is still attached to the parent. Separate it once roots have formed.
• Humidity: Keep humidity moderate to high and let the velvety leaves dry promptly after they become wet.
• Substrate: Use a fine, airy mix that holds some moisture and stays loose around the shallow roots.
• Repotting: Use a shallow pot and repot when the plant becomes crowded or the mix becomes compacted and difficult to water evenly.
• Feeding: Apply a dilute balanced fertiliser every 2–4 weeks while fresh leaves and runners are forming.

Leaf, runner and crown problems in Episcia cupreata ‘Pink Brocade’

• Pink areas fade or develop pale dry patches: The light is too intense. Move the plant behind a sheer curtain or farther from a hot window while keeping the position bright.
• Leaf edges turn brown and curl inward: The mix has dried too far or humidity is very low. Restore even moisture and raise humidity around the plant.
• The crown or a runner becomes soft and dark: Cool, wet conditions have caused stem or crown rot. Cut away affected tissue to firm healthy growth with a clean tool and discard the rot, then root a healthy rosette in fresh airy mix.
• Sticky residue, cottony insects or distorted young leaves appear: Aphids or mealybugs may be present. Isolate the plant, identify the pest and use a treatment labelled for soft-leaved ornamentals, repeating according to the product label.
• Soft grey growth develops on wet leaves or stems: Grey mould has developed on damp foliage. Remove badly affected tissue, keep the leaves drier and improve ventilation around the plant.

Episcia cupreata ‘Pink Brocade’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

Episcia cupreata: where the name comes from

Episcia comes from Greek episkios, meaning shady. Cupreata means copper-coloured.

Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius established the genus Episcia in 1829 in Nova Genera et Species Plantarum Brasiliensium, volume 3, page 39.

William Jackson Hooker first described it as Achimenes cupreata in 1847 in Botanical Magazine, volume 73, plate 4312. Johannes Ludwig Emil Robert von Hanstein later placed it in Episcia as Episcia cupreata in 1866 in Linnaea, volume 34, page 340.