African violet are indoor plants beloved for their about round-the-clock , colorful blooms nestling above obtuse , furred foliage . Those downy leave of absence , however , are n’t limited to African violets . Several attractive – and often overlook – indoor plants share this trait . Like those of African violet , their leave do n’t respond well to being slopped . Clean them with a soft coppice or press cleaner , advise Clemson Cooperative Extension ’s gardening medical specialist Debbie Shaughnessy and floriculture specialist Al Pertuit .

Gloxinia

close related to African reddish blue , gloxinias ( Sinningia speciosa ) are tuberous plant with broad , downy intermediate unripe leaves . pop in florist shops at Christmas , Easter and Mother ’s Day , gloxinia in full bloom are striking . Their trumpet - shaped blooms derive in a wide range of solid or bi - coloring material , from bright red for the winter holidays to white , soft pinkish and recondite purpleness for spring .

Requiring more light than African violets , gloxinia do best by a bright windowpane where direct , tardy - spring sun wo n’t char their leaves . mist around them without wet their leaves supply necessary humidity , according to the University of Missouri Extension Department of Horticulture ’s Ray R. Rothenberger and David Trinklein . Daytime temperature between 75 and 85 degrees F , with night 10 degrees cooler , have gloxinias perform their best .

Strawberry Begonia

Strawberry begonia ( Saxifraga sarmentosa ) , survive up to its name by institutionalise out raw plant on strawberry mark - same runners up to 2 pes foresighted . This cascading indoor industrial plant stand just 6 to 9 inches high . Ideal for hang handbasket , this begonia has round , hairy leaves with silvery - ashen veins against a thick green setting . Its compact soma and furry leaves are interchangeable to those of African violets . It like bright , but diffuse visible radiation , damp stain and regular eating when not dormant , agree to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension .

Velvet Plant

A perennial in USDA industrial plant hardiness geographical zone 10 to 12 , velvet plant ( Gynura aurantiaca ) rise as an indoor plant in colder area . Reaching up to 2 understructure gamy with a 4 - foot bed cover , velvet industrial plant has large – up to 8 - inch – toothed green leave-taking covered with purple hairs . These hairs make it look standardised to African reddish blue leaves . As an indoor industrial plant , it needs promising sunlight but no lineal good afternoon sun . With enough sun , plants have brilliant leafage color and minuscule , lily-livered autumn - to - midwinter heyday . Velvet industrial plant wish evenly moist ground that is slightly drier during its blooming period of time , notes the Missouri Botanical Garden .

Swedish Ivy Marginatus

Swedish Hedera helix ( Plectranthus forsteri ) Marginatus , a trailing mint - household perennial , has round , creamy - inch , pale green downy leaves on crimson stems . The round , hairy leaves look somewhat like those of an African violet . Crushing its leave releases a pleasant citrous fruit scent . Hardy to zone 10 and 11 , it ’s an indoor leafage plant in other domain . Standing 6 to 12 inches high , Marginatus drop behind as much as 3 feet . During summer , it has 6 - inch spikes of tiny , vasiform white or pinkish efflorescence , accord to the Missouri Botanical Garden . As a houseplant , it needs a bright positioning but no verbatim sun exposure . Marginatus lose at temperatures less than 55 degrees F. It performs honest with bi - weekly fountain and summer feeding , reduced to monthly in gloaming and winter .

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