Gloxinia erinoides 'Red Satin'

Gloxinia erinoides 'Red Satin' is an easy to grow plant which is ideal for small spaces. The species is found in northern South America and Central America. The 'Red Satin' variety has small white dots on the dark green foliage with the small flowers held above the plant on red inflorescences. Gloxinia erinoides was formerly called Koellikeria erinoides before a revision of the Gloxinia.

Gloxinia erinoides 'Red Satin'

I grew this plant from seed obtained from The Gesneriad Society seed fund, which I sowed in February of this year. The seed germinated quickly, and I potted up two groups of seedlings into 3" pots in June. By early July the plants were putting out the stalks of diminutive flowers. The display is quite attractive.

Gloxinia erinoides 'Red Satin'

As an added bonus, Gloxinia erinoides is one of the few scented gesneriads. Despite their small size, the flowers have a strong scent of coconut, tinged with a touch of vanilla. Although one needs to be close to detect the fragrance, it is unmissable. 

Gloxinia erinoides 'Red Satin' is a rhizomatous plant so when it goes dormant, I will collect the rhizomes. I am hoping for a good crop in order to make some larger plantings of this attractive plant next year.