Genus of 6 species of creeping, stoloniferous, mat-forming, epiphytic or terrestrial, evergreen perennials founs in tropical forest and rocky habitats from Mexico to South America. Episcia is an attractive trailing plant. Because it requires high air humidity it is often difficult to grow as an isolated plant or in hanging basket, but it makes an excellent ground cover between taller plants. There are two main tipes - The Flame Violet And the delicate Lace Flower. The Flame Violet has the more eye-catching leaves - large and quilted with silvery or pale green veins. The trailing stems grow about 1,5 ft long - with the Lace Flower (Episcia dianthiflora) the small leaves are borne in groups along thread-like runners. Both bloom throughout the summer and the runners root in surrounding compost, forming plantlets for propagation. Shorten stems after flowering.