Episcia cupreata ‘Silver Shield’

Cultivation history and natural origin of Episcia cupreata ‘Silver Shield’

‘Silver Shield’ is an established cultivar of Episcia cupreata. It has also been used as a parent in a registered 2022 Episcia hybrid.

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

Indoor care for Episcia cupreata ‘Silver Shield’

• Light: Give bright, filtered light. Add gentle early or late sun after a gradual introduction to stronger light.
• Temperature: Keep the plant around 18–26 °C and above about 15 °C.
• Humidity: Keep relative humidity near 60–80% during everyday care.
• Water: Keep the mix lightly and evenly moist while the plant is growing. Water when the surface starts to dry and let the pot drain freely.
• Potting mix: Use a fine, airy mix that holds some moisture around the shallow roots and drains freely.
• Feeding: Apply a dilute balanced fertiliser every 3–4 weeks while leaves and runners are forming.
• Container: A shallow, wider pot gives the runners room to spread. Move to a larger container when roots fill the pot and need more space. If the mix becomes compacted first, replace it with fresh, airy mix in a suitable shallow pot.
• Propagation: Place a daughter rosette on lightly moist mix while it is still attached to the parent. Separate it once roots have formed.

Growth and health problems in Episcia cupreata ‘Silver Shield’

• Long gaps form between daughter rosettes: The runners are stretching in low light. Move the plant into brighter filtered light; new runner growth should become more compact.
• Leaf edges become crisp or curl: The mix is drying too far or hot, dry air is reaching the foliage. Restore even moisture and move the plant away from heaters or strong warm draughts.
• Grey fuzzy patches develop on damp foliage: Grey mould has developed on wet leaves. Remove badly affected tissue, let the foliage dry promptly and improve gentle ventilation.
• The crown or a runner becomes soft and dark: Persistently wet substrate, cold conditions or water held in the rosette has caused rot. Cut soft tissue back 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 growth 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.

Episcia cupreata ‘Silver Shield’ 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.

How did Episcia cupreata get its name?

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.