Spanish Shawl Plant – A Comprehensive Guide
Episcia cupreata, commonly known as Spanish Shawl Plant, is an absolute gem in the houseplant world. In fact, it seems like it was designed just to be an eye-catching indoor favourite! This plant brings so much visual interest with its colourful foliage and relatively low maintenance requirements, it’s no surprise that it’s gained a significant amount of attention in the world of houseplant collectors in recent years. In this article, you’ll learn about the origin and evolution of your Spanish Shawl Plant, the right growing conditions to keep it thriving, as well as how you can propagate it. You’ll also find information on what to do if it starts underperforming to make sure, sooner or later, you’ll bring your plant back to health. Let’s dive in! WHERE DO THE SPANISH SHAWL PLANT COME FROM? Episcia cupreata is part of the scarlet-spike family, making it a distant cousin of your common crawfordia, but it’s actually closer in relation to the port wine plant. It’s believed that the species basics are largely from the Caribbean.
Origins and Characteristics of the Spanish Shawl Plant
The plant’s botanical name is Gesneriaceae. Not exactly a dynamic identity, this. Or one that suggests a lot of work for that grant. Finally, a little gumption: Gesneriaceae is a family of tropical rainforest plants that also includes the African Violet, a much-loved potted plant. Then we have: Generally considered a low-maintenance pretensive plant as it requires minimal attention, the Spanish Shawl is often grown as an ornamental garden plant. As an afterthought, the hastily written coda: And it’s native to the tropical forests of Central and South America.
Appearance and Varieties
The Spanish Shawl Plant has some stunning foliage. The leaves are a brilliant dark green that often show a reddish or coppery cast, and the sheen they have is quite metallic, reminiscent of the appeal of a shawl. The plant gets up to 8 inches tall and spreads up to 12 inches wide.
Several variants of the Spanish Shawl Plant have been cultivated, from the ‘Cuprea’ with its coppery dorsal flipping foliage, to the more silvery sheened ‘Silver King’. By considering the aesthetics, you are more equipped to judge which variant may be suitable for the space you desire.
Care Requirements for the Spanish Shawl Plant
The plant is not very demanding but has it’s requirements to flourish. Establishing these conditions will save it from harm and will make it flower and be satisfied.
Light and Temperature
Spanish Shawl Plants enjoy bright, indirect light. If they receive direct sunlight, it can burn their leaves; brightness filtered through a window is best. If this doesn’t provide enough light, fluorescent grow lights can also work.
Temperature: Keep the Spanish Shawl Plant warm. It prefers its home between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Do not keep it in an area where there are temperature extremes or drafts, because this causes trimming on the plant’s growth.
Soil and Watering
A moist, well-draining, acidic potting mix suits the Spanish Shawl Plant, one that you could mix yourself with a good potting formula such as moistened peat moss, perlite and pine bark. The pot must have drainage holes. If the potting mix does get waterlogged, even if it takes some time, it can result in root rot.
With watering, it is best to keep the soil moist at all times, but not overwet, and allow the top inch of soil to get dry between waterings. During the winter months, slow down on waterings, since the plant will become somewhat dormant.
Humidity and Fertilization
The Spanish Shawl Plant likes its humidity high, so use a pebble tray with water in the bottom or a humidifier nearby or regularly mist it to keep humidity up which, like its rainforest home, it particularly appreciates.
The Spanish Shawl Plant requires fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during its growing season: spring and summer. If fertilising indoors, then fertilise it every 6-8 weeks during its dormant period: fall and winter. Do not feed the plant excessively, or the plant will have an imbalance of nutrients, even if the fertiliser is balanced.
Propagation Techniques
Spanish Shawl Plant reproduction can be rewarding, whether you’re enabling your own collection to grow or sharing plants with friends and family. Leaf cuttings and offsets are the two most common approaches.
Leaf Cuttings
First, make sure to pick the leaf from a healthy, large, and mature plant mother. Cut the leaf on the base with a clean and hot cut with a very sharp knife or scissors.
Contain Medium: Insert the stem end of the leaf portion in a small pot of a well-draining medium for roots, such as a combination of peat moss and perlite.
Care: Put the container into bright, indirect light with a closed plastic bag or clear plastic dome so the growing conditions are humid.
Rooting: The leaf needs to be left for a couple of weeks to form roots. When these begin to be well-established, the new plant can be transplanted into a larger pot.
Offsets
When the adult Spanish Shawl Plant is large enough, it often sends out offsets, which are babies. You may see one emerge from the rim of the container. These babies can be separated from the parent plant with care: loosen the soil around the roots and gently pull the offset out of the pot. Be sure to give the baby plant some roots attached. Pot it into a new container with fresh potting mix and keep it just like a grown-up plant.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
As easy as the Spanish Shawl Plant is to care for, there are some small problems it can face. Be aware of the common issues and what to do when they arise, and your plant should be long and happy.
Pests and Diseases
Spider Mites Tiny pests that cause overlapping small holes in leaves and webbing. Increase humidity and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control infestations.
Mealybugs: These white, fuzzy cotton look-a-likes can be scraped off with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol and flushed down the toilet. Check often so you can catch any infestations before they get out of hand.
Powdery mildew White powdery spots on leaves and stems caused by a fungus. Good air circulation and don’t water from above.
Leaves Turning Yellow: This could be due to overwatering or nutrient deficiency. Check your soil moisture levels and water your plant directly in the pot to prevent water damage.
Leaf Drop: Sudden temperature changes and/or low humidity can cause excessive leaf drop. Maintain a stable environment and add humidity if necessary.
Due to its vibrant foliage and relative ease of care, the Spanish Shawl Plant is a plant that is likely to endear itself to gardeners of all skill levels. Now that you know where the plant hails from, how to care for it, and how to address problems it might face, you’ll find it the perfect addition to your indoor jungle. Propagating new plants or simply pruning back the lemon-coloured flower spikes, the Spanish Shawl Plant is sure to be your next favourite houseplant.