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Episcia 'Silver Shield'

Episcia 'Silver Shield'

5 Stars(190 Business Reviews)

Regular price£4.99

ø 6cm pot | 10cm foliage

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Complete Organic Plant Food – 50ml
Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'
Potting Mix

Grows well together...

Maranta leuconeura var. Erythroneura

Regular priceFrom £5.99

Useful Information

Plant Bio

Episcia 'Silver Shield' is a captivating cultivar of Episcia cupreata, commonly known as Flame Violet, cherished for its extraordinarily ornamental foliage. This creeping, stoloniferous perennial features large, velvety leaves with a striking metallic silver centre, often bordered by rich dark green or bronze margins. The shimmering silver creates a beautiful contrast, making each leaf a focal point. Occasionally, it also produces small, trumpet-shaped flowers, typically in vibrant orange-red, that further enhance its tropical appeal. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets, terrariums, or as a colourful groundcover in indoor plant displays. It is a member of the Gesneriaceae family, which also includes African Violets.

The genus name Episcia is derived from the Greek 'episkios,' meaning 'shaded,' referring to its natural habitat in the understory of tropical forests. 'Silver Shield' is a cultivar name, aptly describing the prominent, shimmering silver pattern on its leaves.

Light

Episcia 'Silver Shield' thrives in bright, indirect light, mimicking its natural habitat on the rainforest floor. Strong, direct sunlight must be avoided as it can easily scorch its delicate leaves, resulting in unsightly brown, crispy spots or a fading of its vibrant coloration. Too little light, conversely, may lead to slower growth and less pronounced silver patterning. For a typical UK home, a position near an east or north-facing window, or a few metres away from a south or west-facing window with sheer curtains, provides ideal conditions. It also responds well to artificial grow lights.

Water

The potting mix should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. It is crucial to allow the top 2-3 cm (approximately 1 inch) of the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Ensuring the pot has excellent drainage is paramount to prevent root rot, which can be a common issue for this plant. Avoid splashing water directly on the leaves, as this can lead to spots or fungal issues. Reduce watering significantly in autumn and winter, as the plant's growth naturally slows. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the roots.

Soil

An airy, chunky, and well-draining potting mix is essential for Episcia 'Silver Shield', though it should also retain some moisture. A specialized African violet mix or a blend incorporating components such as coco coir, perlite, and a small amount of orchid bark is highly recommended to provide the necessary aeration and drainage while maintaining adequate hydration. A slightly acidic soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.0, is generally preferred.

Fertilising

During its active growing period in spring and summer, a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser should be applied every two to four weeks. Some sources recommend a high-potassium fertiliser to encourage flowering. It is important to reduce or completely cease fertilising during the autumn and winter months when the plant's growth slows down. Overfeeding can lead to root burn, so always adhere strictly to dilution recommendations.

Temperature

This plant prefers warm and stable temperatures, ideally ranging between 20°C and 26°C (68°F and 79°F). It is vital to shield it from cold draughts and sudden temperature fluctuations, which can stress the plant and cause leaf damage or even lead to its decline. Temperatures consistently falling below 15°C (59°F) are detrimental and should be avoided.

Humidity

High humidity levels are profoundly beneficial for Episcia 'Silver Shield', with ideal levels being above 60-70%. As a tropical understory plant, it thrives in moist air. To maintain optimal conditions, particularly during drier indoor periods in the UK (often due to central heating), consider using a humidifier nearby or placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, ensuring the pot is not submerged. Terrariums are also an excellent environment for this plant due to their ability to maintain high humidity.

Growth Habit

Episcia 'Silver Shield' exhibits a creeping or trailing growth habit, sending out long runners (stolons) from the main plant. These stolons produce new plantlets that will readily root upon contact with moist soil, allowing the plant to spread horizontally and form a dense mat. This makes it an ideal choice for hanging baskets where its stems can cascade gracefully, or for wider, shallower pots where it can spread as a groundcover. Indoors, it typically stays under 20 cm (8 inches) tall but can spread 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) wide.

Toxicity

Episcia 'Silver Shield' is generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets, according to sources like the ASPCA.

Delivery & Returns

General

Please be aware that your plant may vary from the picture as this is a living item. Variations of shape and colour are perfectly natural and to be expected. We will send you a plant as close to the picture and description as possible. The picture shown is an example of what's in stock unless stated otherwise.

Shipping & Delivery

We now ship fresh plants directly from our trusted growers in the Netherlands, typically arriving within 3-5 business days. Read more about our realtionship with the Netherlands here. Shipping costs vary depending on your location and chosen option, with details available at checkout. We carefully package your plants to ensure safe arrival, and our customer support team is here to help with any issues. You'll receive a tracking number to monitor your delivery, and we currently ship to all UK addresses. Please review our return policy for plants, and note that some species may have shipping restrictions.

Returns

We guarantee our plants 14 day from receipt. We guarantee to send happy and healthy plants, however, it is your responsibility to care for them and we cannot be held responsible for neglect or mis care. Please send us a picture within 24 hours of receiving your plant and we'll help you out with your issue.

If returning your order, please keep all original packaging and use this to send the plant back to us. This will ensure the plant is kept as safe as possible on its return.

To allow the plant to acclimatise in its new home, there should be no repotting of the plant for a minimum of 14 days after receipt. If any plant has been repotted or a cutting has been taken then we are not able to accept returns.

We are happy to replace your plant if it is very badly damaged in transport. The loss of a leaf in transport on a healthy plant should not generally be cause for any concern. We cannot give a refund for snapped leaves.

FAQ'S

Where do you ship from?

We now ship directly from our trusted growers in The Netherlands.

Why do we ship from the Netherlands?

Here's a summary of the main benefits you will experience due to us direct shipping from our growers:

Massive increase in variety: You will have access to hundreds more houseplant options, allowing you to find the perfect plants.
Higher quality plants: Sourcing directly from Dutch growers ensures plants are expertly cared for and in peak condition when they arrive at your door.
Fresher plants: Direct shipping means plants spend less time in transit, arriving fresher and healthier.
Unique and rare finds: You'll now be able to discover unusual and hard-to-find plant varieties that were previously unavailable.
More sustainable: Direct shipping reduces transportation emissions and packaging waste.

How long does shipping take?

Typically, you can expect your plants to arrive within 3-5 business days of placing your order. We pack UK orders on Tuesday's and Thursday's. Orders packed on Tuesday's normally arrive on Thursday and orders packed on Thursday's normally arrive over the weekend (sometimes Monday at the latest!). Ask our virtual assistant the shipping times to your location for a more detailed answer.

How much does shipping cost?

Shipping on all order under £74.99 costs £6.99. Free shipping on all orders above £74.99. You can view the full details of our shipping costs at checkout.

Do you offer free shipping?

We offer free shipping on all orders above £74.99. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of our website to be updated with all our latest promotions.

Why can't I choose store pick-up?

To bring you an even wider variety of the freshest, highest quality plants, we've partnered directly with growers in the Netherlands. This exciting change means we can no longer offer store pickup, but you'll now have access to hundreds more beautiful plants delivered straight to your door!

Why is there a minimum order on the webshop?

To make our new direct shipping model from the Netherlands as efficient and eco-friendly as possible, we've implemented a £24.99 minimum order. This allows us to optimise shipping and reduce unnecessary packaging, contributing to a greener plant-buying experience.

Will you help me & answer any questions?

Yes! If you have any questions or need help looking after your plants please take a look at our houseplant library. We will be updating this every month with new plant care tips.

When you buy from Root you will receive a care guide full of all the information you need to keep your new plants happy and healthy.

If you need anymore plant help — feel free to visit our house plant shop in Liverpool for a chat, or you can send us a message on Instagram, ping us an email to
care@root-houseplants.com or fill in our contact form.

How are my plants packaged for shipping?

We take great care in packaging your plants to ensure they arrive in excellent condition. We use sturdy boxes, protective wrapping, and specialised plant packaging materials to minimise damage during transit.

What if my plant arrives damaged?

In the rare event that your plant arrives damaged, please contact our customer support team within 2 days of receiving your order. We will gladly assist you with a replacement or refund. Contact care@root-houseplants.com or fill in our contact form.

Can I track my order?

Yes, once your order is shipped, you will receive a tracking number via email that you can use to monitor the progress of your delivery. You'll also receive delivery notifications from your local courier once your parcel is received.

Do you ship outside the UK?

We ship plants to all UK addresses including Northern Ireland. We also ship to European countires including France, Italy, Ireland and Germany.

My order is a present, can I include a gift message?

At the moment we are unable to include a gift message with your order but are working to find a solution ASAP! Sorry for the inconvenience.

What is your return policy for plants?

Due to the perishable nature of plants, we have a limited return policy. Please refer to our return policy page for detailed information on returns and exchanges.

Are there any restrictions on shipping plants?

Some plant species may be subject to shipping restrictions due to local regulations or import/export laws. We comply with all applicable regulations and will notify you if any restrictions apply to your order.