Sinningia gesneriifolia

This past spring, I picked up a small container of Sinningia gesneriifolia seedlings from the raffle table during a meeting of the National Capital Area Chapter of The Gesneriad Society. I selected two of the strongest to pot up and grow. 

Both plants are now in 4" pots and are about 16 inches tall. One of my plants has been blooming for about a month, while the other is just developing buds. 

Sinningia gesneriifolia blooms

Sinningia gesneriifolia is native to Brazil. The corollas are marked with purple spotting inside and out. The flowers hang below the stems and are produced on the upper part of the stem.

Sinningia gesneriifolia young foliage

The seedlings and young plants have attractive silver makings down the midrib of the leaves. This coloration fades as the plants mature. One of my plants seems to be about a month behind the other in blooming and is just beginning to lose the coloration. New foliage around the base of the plant is marked with silver.

Sinningia gesneriifolia

My plants are growing as single stems, although they are just starting to put out some growth from the base. Sinningia gesnerriifolia does not produce tubers like most Sinningias. I am not sure how the plant will grow long-term, but I have read that it can be short-lived. I will take some cuttings from one of the plants try to get a "backup." Perhaps taking tip cuttings will also cause the plant to branch.

I was unfamiliar with the species when I grabbed the seedlings from the raffle table. It's been an easy to grow and enjoyable plant.