What is a Gesneriad?

A Gesneriad is a large plant family that is distributed widely and with a presence on all continents, except Antarctica. Many members of the family have very attractive flowers and foliage, which have long attracted humans due to their beauty. The majority of gesneriads are tropical or subtropical plants which grow where there is no frost; however, the plants have a wide variability in tolerance for cold, heat, humidity and drought. A few are adapted to temperate climates, and can live under the snow reappearing to bloom in spring. Many of the species can be grown in our homes because they like the same conditions that we do and are beautiful. This beauty and the ease of culture have led to the popularity of gesneriads as hobbyist plants, grown by people around the world on windowsills, in greenhouses and under artificial light. 

The Gesneriad family includes the African Violet (Saintpaulia) which is one of the most widely grown houseplants. Streptocarpus, sometimes known as the Cape Primrose, is also well-adapted to cooler home temperatures, and is very popular. The Sinningia speciosa (the Florist Gloxinia) is commonly available and makes a nice house plant. Many others which are less familiar, are widely grown for their beauty and sometimes weird attractiveness. These include lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus), goldfish plant (Nematanthus), flame violet (Episcia), Petrocosmea, Kohleria and Cupid’s Bower (Achimenes) as well as others.