Jester's hat
Jester's Hat (Episcia spp.) is a popular tropical houseplant grown for its lovely foliage and ease of care. It can be found in a variety of leaf colors including dark green, light green, red and pink. It is an epiphytic plant, meaning it grows on and around other plants and gets its water and nutrients from the air and the environment. Its leaves are heart-shaped and covered in dense velvety hairs. The bright flowers are usually white with pink margins and can have up to 20 flowers in each cluster. Jester's Hat is an excellent plant choice for a bright windowsill or even outdoors in a shade garden.
This plant requires quite a bit of water and does not like to dry out. Water it enough so that the soil remains constantly moist. In the winter, water less frequently but do not let the soil dry out completely. Make sure to thoroughly water and let the soil drain each time. Good drainage is key for Jester's Hat.
This plant enjoys bright, indirect sunlight. Keep it out of direct sunlight that may scorch its foliage. Too little light could cause its leaves to become pale and the plant may need to be moved closer to a window. This plant tolerates lower light levels but its overall appearance will suffer without bright light.
This plant prefers temperatures between 65°F and 80°F (18°C - 27°C), but can tolerate temperatures down to 50°F (10°C). It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from cold temperatures.
Jester's Hat prefers high humidity levels and grows best when the air is kept at around 50 to 80% humidity. To achieve this, group this plant with other houseplants, place it on a humidity tray, or mist it with water. Regular misting or a all-in-one humidifier is a good way to keep the humidity up. Keep an eye out for signs of low humidity such as browning of the leaf tips.
Jester's Hat prefers a light, airy potting mix with good drainage. A mixture of peat moss, loam, and perlite is ideal. You can also add a small amount of vermiculite to help retain moisture. Make sure the soil is slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
Jester's Hat does not require fertilization but it is beneficial to give it a balanced fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once a month during the active growing season. Avoid fertilizing during the dormant winter period as this could damage the plant
Jester's Hat is sensitive to a variety of pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. These pests can cause discoloration and even the death of the plant. To prevent pests, make sure the plant is not kept in areas with stagnant air. Look for signs of pests regularly and if present, carefully spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil and ensure that all areas of the leaf are covered. To remove the pests, use cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol or spray with an all purpose insecticide. Make sure to isolate the plant from other houseplants to prevent the spread of the pests.
Repotting should be done every 2-3 years with a well-draining potting mix such as a combination of peat, loam, and perlite. Make sure to repot Jester's Hat during the active growing season for best results. Be sure to have the right size of container ready and inspect the roots for any rot or damage before repotting.
Pruning this plant is not usually necessary and should only be occasionally done if there is dead or damaged foliage. If you need to prune Jester's Hat, use sterilized gardening scissors and trim the foliage only. Pruning is used to shape the plant and to make it look more attractive.
Mulching is not necessary for Jester's Hat but can be added as a decorative element. Finely ground bark, pine needles, or other organic material can be used to add texture to the soil and increase water retention.
Jester's Hat can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Take a cutting from the mother plant and let it dry for a day. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil. Place in a warm spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Reduce watering and keep the soil moist until the roots form. Once rooted, you can repot it in a new pot.
Jester's Hat does not need any support but may benefit from a stake or trellis for added stability and aesthetic appeal.
Jester's Hat has a short dormant period between fall and winter where the plant will stop producing new growth. During this time, reduce watering and stop fertilizing the plant until the active growing season begins again in spring.
This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested and should be kept away from these pets.
Air Plant
Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.) are epiphytic plants that grow without soil or roots connected to the ground. They typically attach to rocks, tree branche...
Aglaonema
Aglaonema is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family. These evergreen perennials are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and...
Amaryllis
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) is a bulbous herbaceous perennial from the Amaryllidaceae family native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americ...
Asplenium
Asplenium is a genus of evergreen, perennial, and generally tropical or subtropical ferns, robust and lovely in appearance. These species thrive in va...
Azalea
Azaleas are part of the Rhododendron genus and are popular garden shrubs prized for their deep, often fragrant, showy flowers. They thrive in a moist,...
Ant Plant
Ant plants are a group of tropical and subtropical epiphytic plants found in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas that are named for and inhabited...