How to Grow Chocolate Soldier

Chocolate Soldier

Episcia cupreata 'Chocolate Soldier'

flower

Chocolate Soldier is a stunning tropical houseplant in the Gesneriaceae family, prized for its distinctive velvety, chocolate-brown foliage with metallic silver veining and bright red-orange flowers. This low-growing, spreading plant is ideal for hanging baskets and terrariums, thriving as an indoor decorative plant with minimal care. Its creeping stolons (runners) make it an excellent choice for creating dense, lush displays.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Bright, indirect light; 2-4 hours of filtered morning sun; avoid direct afternoon sun which can fade foliage

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; water when top inch of soil feels dry; reduce watering in winter; use room-temperature distilled or rainwater to avoid leaf spotting

📏

Spacing: 8 inches

📅

Days to maturity: N/A - ornamental houseplant

🌱

Planting depth: Surface planting for stolons; transplants at same depth as original container

Soil

Type: Light, well-draining potting mix with high organic matter

pH: 5.5-6.5

Amendments:

Peat moss or coco coir Perlite Orchid bark Compost

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 10b-12; grown as a houseplant elsewhere

10b 11a 11b 12a 12b

Growth Stages

Establishment

2-4 weeks

Young plant acclimating to new environment with limited stolons and small leaves

Provide high humidity (60-75%); avoid moving frequently; allow 2-4 weeks to adjust before fertilizing heavily

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Stolons elongate and develop roots; foliage expands with deepening chocolate-brown color and silver veining becomes more prominent

Maintain consistent moisture and humidity; mist regularly (early morning preferred); pinch tips to encourage bushier growth if desired; fertilize every 2-3 weeks with diluted liquid fertilizer

Flowering

Sporadic throughout year, heaviest spring-summer

Small tubular red-orange flowers emerge from leaf axils; blooms are delicate with yellow throats and appear intermittently

Maintain bright, indirect light to encourage flowering; ensure consistent warm temperatures (70-80°F); continue regular feeding; remove spent flowers to promote more blooms

Mature

Ongoing with proper care

Full, lush mounding or cascading plant with dense foliage coverage and continuous flower production

Regular fertilizing supports vigor; prune stolons to shape or allow to cascade; repot annually in spring; maintain stable conditions

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Fittonia Peperomia African Violet Begonia Tradescantia Syngonium Nerve Plant

Avoid planting near:

Geranium Succulents requiring dry conditions Cactus High-heat, low-humidity plants

Common Pests

Increase humidity; mist leaves; spray with water or neem oil; isolate affected plants
Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; apply insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
Manual removal with fingernail or soft brush; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil
Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use sticky traps; apply sand layer on soil surface

Uses

🏠

Indoor Decoration

Household

Chocolate Soldier's striking velvety foliage and elegant flowers make it a stunning decorative houseplant for shelves, hanging baskets, and terrariums. Its compact, spreading habit creates a dramatic display even in small spaces. [source]

🏠

Humid Microclimate Plant

Household

This plant thrives in high-humidity environments, making it ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and terrariums where it naturally purifies air while creating a tropical atmosphere. [source]

🦋

Hummingbird Attraction

Wildlife

The tubular red-orange flowers attract hummingbirds when grown outdoors in tropical regions, providing nectar source for these pollinators. [source]

🎨

Terrarium & Planter Design

Craft

Chocolate Soldier's trailing growth habit and compact size make it perfect for living terrariums, fairy gardens, and mixed houseplant displays where it adds texture and color contrast. [source]

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental houseplant; no harvesting involved. Prune stems and stolons as needed to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove dead or yellowing leaves promptly to maintain plant health and appearance.

Fun Facts

🌱 The silvery veining on Chocolate Soldier leaves contains specialized cells that reflect light, enhancing the metallic sheen and helping the plant thrive in low-light tropical forest understories.
🌱 Episcia species reproduce via stolons that develop plantlets with roots already forming, making propagation incredibly easy—simply anchor the plantlet in moist soil until established, then separate.
🌱 This plant is named 'Chocolate Soldier' for its deep chocolate-brown foliage color, which intensifies with proper lighting and care, creating a dramatic appearance.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free