Episcia ‘Cleopatra’ is a classic cultivar, introduced in 1963 as a sport of E. ‘Frosty’. Its pale pink, green and white leaf colors were a sensation, and it has been widely grown ever since. Flowers, rarely produced, are bright red. Many look-alike cultivars have been produced, with paler or darker foliage colors, or variations on the pattern.
Often grown enclosed in a glass container, the cultivar requires warmth and humidity to do well.
A slightly different cultivar, often referred to as E. ‘Cleopatra’ (Canadian Clone) is said to be hardier than the original, perhaps with stronger colors. We are listing it here, although it might warrant a separate page.
It does appear that culture can have a substantial on the leaf colors. In some cases, this may result in quite dark green areas as well as dark pink
Other photos may be seen in a slideshow by clicking one of the links below:
- A paler-colored specimen
- A more sharply colored specimen exhibited at the 2010 convention of the Gesneriad Society
- A tray-grown specimen exhibited at the GS2018 convention show
- A specimen exhibited in the 2021 virtual show of the Gesneriad Society as the “Canadian Clone” of E. ‘Cleopatra’
- A very dark-leaved plant exhibited at the spring 2025 show of the Toronto African Violet and Gesneriad Society
- A close view of the leaves on this dark plant
