Florist Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) Care: Ruffled Bell Blooms for Indoors

Botanical Name: Sinningia speciosa hybrids

Big, ruffled, bell-shaped blooms of florist gloxinia come in a rich color range—red, burgundy, pink, white, violet, purple.

Some varieties have white-edged blooms or contrasting spotted throats.

Velvety flowers are carried on slender stems above a rosette of large, oval, hairy leaves with scalloped edges.

Originally grown from tuberous roots that went dormant in winter, tubers were replanted for another seasonal show. Today, many florist gloxinias are seed-grown hybrids with better blooms (no energy to roots) but poor reblooming ability—treated as annuals, tossed after one season.

Each flower lasts ~1 week, with continuous blooming for several weeks.

After Flowering, water lightly until leaves die down. Allow soil to dry out, overwinter tuber in its pot. Keep cool (~50°F / 10°C) during dormancy.

Repot Tubers in Spring Tuber-grown plants can be stored cool and dry for winter, blooming next year. To rebloom, pot tuber hollow-side up on fresh soil surface. Moisten every few weeks. When new growth appears, move to bright light, water and fertilize regularly.

Dropped Buds? Dry air and drafts cause buds to drop before opening. Gloxinias are native to South American rainforests with 70%+ humidity. Short of a misty rainforest, you can raise humidity for your plant.

Gloxinia Growing Quick Reference

Origin: Brazil

Height: 8 in (20 cm)

Light: Bright light; no direct sun

Water: Keep soil evenly moist. Provide good drainage or roots rot.

Humidity: Moderate. Set plant on wet pebble tray. Don't mist—damages flowers and leaves.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60–75°F (16–24°C)

Soil: African violet potting mix holds moisture well.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks while growing and blooming with high-phosphorus liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Seeds; leaf cuttings; division of tubers