Sinningia

( sin - IN - jee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of small herbaceous tropical evergreens is commonly referred to as Gloxinia or Florists' Gloxinia and is native to Central and South America. These plants and grow on rocks and cliffsides in their natural habitat. They are attractive greenhouse plants or houseplants in cooler regions that need warmth, high humidity, and bright indirect light to thrive.

Sinningia Species and Varietals

The genus Sinningia includes between about 75 and 85 species species, and is a member of the plant family Gesneriaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Aeschynanthus (Lipstick Plant) and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7b-12, though this varies somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Sinningia araneosa (Hairy Brazilian Hardy Gloxinia)
This species of Sinningia is native to Brazil in the state of São Paulo. It was first discovered in 1857, but was not rediscovered until the 1990s. Flowers are tubular and bright red, with protruding stamens. Leaves are downy and light greyish green with scalloped margins. This species is suited for USDA zones 7b through 10.

Sinningia bullata (Emerald Forest)
This rare species produces small tubular orange to reddish flowers and blistery green leaves that have fuzzy undersides. These plants are native to Brazil, where they grow on rocky, steep cliffs. New shoots are fuzzy, white and wooly and at the base of the plant is an above-ground storage tuber or caudex. Emerald Forest Sinningia grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12.

Sinningia canescens (Brazilian Edelweiss, Wooly Sinningia, Silver Sinningia)
This tuberous perennial species reaches about 12 inches in height at maturity, and produces very light silver-green leaves and light orange to orange flowers. These plants are cultivated as houseplants or hothouse specimens and can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Sinningia gerdtiana
This species produces green leaves with a bronze tint and white trumpet shaped flowers with lavender, magenta and purple markings. These plants are native to Brazil, where they enjoy a seasonally dry tropical biome. They can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or equivalent frost-free climates or kept as indoor houseplants in cooler regions.

Sinningia globulosa
This Brazilian native species produces red flowers with purple and white markings on the mouth openings. These intricately beautiful specimens are commonly grown in greenhouses or kept as indoor plants. Leaves are green and downy. This species is suited for growing outdoors in USDA zones 11 and 12.

Sinningia muscicola (Rio das Pedras)
These humidity-loving plants produce green leaves with serrated edges and purple to dark brown veining and margins. Flowers are light lavender and trumpet-shaped. This species is native to southeastern Brazil (Rio de Janiero) and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12.

Sinningia speciosa (Florists' Gloxinia, Brazilian Gloxinia)
This species was originally classified under the genus Gloxinia in 1817, but was reclassified in the genus Sinningia later on. These plants produce very large, brightly colored flowers and have similar care requirements to African Violets. They grow well outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, and are commonly kept as indoor houseplants. Popular cultivars of this species include 'Carangola' (similar to the straight species), and those in the 'Brocade' (compact in a variety of flower colors), 'Tigrina' (with heavily spotted blooms) or 'Avanti' (compact with upright flowers facing out rather than down) series.

Caring for Sinningia

Sinningia, or Brazilian Gloxinia, is a tropical plant that can be grown outdoors in tropical climates or indoors as a houseplant. Outdoors, they should be situated in a space that does not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They do very well in containers outdoors. Choose a hanging basket or container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom. The ideal soil for these flowers is two to three parts compost, 1 part perlite, and 1 part orchid bark. They need excellent drainage to thrive; water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Plant these flowers in a space in the garden that gets bright, indirect light or gentle morning sun. They should not get any late afternoon direct sun, as this exposure will quickly sunburn leaves and stress the plant, potentially causing death. Every year, check the bottom of the container to see if roots are beginning to grow through. If they are, choose a larger container and repot. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants.

Growing Sinningia Indoors
As indoor specimens, these plants prefer to be situated in a warm, humid location with bright indirect light. Lipstick Plants will do best with temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and like to be in an environment with a humidity of 40-70%. Mist plants regularly to provide adequate humidity for best growth. If they are not receiving enough light, for example if they are grown in medium indirect light, they will lose some leaves, foliage color and potentially not flower. Increase light using grow lamps if needed. Keep the soil moist but not wet. More frequent waterings are needed in warmer, drier months and during the active flowering period. During wintertime, these plants go somewhat dormant, and will need less water. Never leave roots sitting in water; this will cause the plant to develop root rot. Prune plants with sanitized scissors or clippers, removing dead, yellowing, or ratty stems and leaves close to the base. Check the bottom of your plant's pot regularly to determine if any roots are attempting to grow out through the bottom drainage holes. Once roots emerge, it is time to pot up. If your plant has become root-bound or if there are sections of roots that have died since it was last repotted, this is a good time to break up those roots or trim some off.

Propagation

Sinningia plants can be propagated by division or cuttings. These plants will reproduce asexually via creeping underground tubers, and clumps can be divided from time to time for planting elsewhere. To propagate your Brazilian Gloxinia, follow the directions below:

Propagating Sinningia by Division
Division is probably the easiest way to propagate these plants. The idea behind this method is that you are taking an existing clump of live plants and breaking it into smaller segments. This is something you will want to do whether or not you are looking to propagate your plant, as they need to be divided every so often for health reasons. Otherwise, the roots will become too crowded. Division should be attempted only when the plant is not in its blooming period. To use this method, you will need a clean shovel, clean pruning saw, extra pots if you are not going to immediately plant your divisions in the ground, and well-draining soil to fill the pots (again, if you will not be planting your divisions directly into the ground). To propagate your Yerba Mansa by division, follow the instructions below:

Identify the area of plants you're going to divide. Start by loosening the soil around the plant with your shovel, working your way inward to avoid causing damage to the roots. Once you've gotten your plant out of the ground, lay it out on its side.
Divide the clump into segments, either with your shovel or with a pruning saw, as many as you'd like as long as there is at least one viable above ground segment attached to each. Inspect segments to ensure health, trimming off any diseased or dying parts.
Fill a pot with potting soil. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of your division, and place your new plant in the soil. Water generously, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the pot in a sunny location until you are ready to plant it in the ground.

Propagating Sinningia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In late summer or early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem and take a 2-inch cutting, severing it from the plant just above a leaf node. Make a hole in the planting medium by pushing a pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about two to four weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.