Alsobia dianthiflora

Lace Flower, Lace Flower Vine

Easy careSemi-epiphyteNon-toxic1015 cm

A small, trailing gesneriad from the cloud forests of Mexico and Central America, forming low rosettes of fleshy, softly hairy leaves that spread via stolons — slender runners that root into moist substrate wherever they touch. Each stolon tip produces a new plantlet, making the plant easy to propagate and giving it a steadily spreading habit in a terrarium. The flowers are unmistakable: pure white and trumpet-shaped, with petal edges cut into a delicate fringe that earns it the name lace flower. It does best in bright indirect light with consistently high humidity, but needs good air circulation — fully sealed containers where still air collects on the leaves will cause rot.

Build a terrarium with this plant

Care

Prefers high humidity, bright indirect light, with 10–27 °C, and reaches 15 cm at maturity.

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C27°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat mossSphagnum mix

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 6.5

Propagation

Pin a stolon tip or small plantlet against moist substrate next to the mother plant. Roots emerge from the nodes within two to three weeks; once established, sever the stolon to create an independent plant. Stem tip cuttings also root readily in water or damp sphagnum if no stolons are available.

Native range

Native to Northern South America, Mexico, and Central America.

Appearance

Growth habit

TrailingRosette

Leaf shape

OvalToothed

Leaf texture

FuzzySucculent

Frequently asked

Can Lace Flower grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Lace Flower prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates bright-indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Lace Flower need drainage?

Lace Flower prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Lace Flower need?

Lace Flower does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Lace Flower pet-safe?

Lace Flower is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Lace Flower grow?

Lace Flower typically reaches 10–15 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Lace Flower?

Lace Flower can be propagated by runners.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Alsobia dianthiflora

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:884325-1
  2. 2
  3. 3

    Gesneriad Reference Web — Alsobia dianthiflora

    https://www.gesneriads.net/Alsobia/dianthiflora.htm
  4. 4
  5. 5

    Plantiary — Alsobia dianthiflora

    https://plantiary.com/plants/alsobia-dianthiflora
  6. 6

    Karnivores — Alsobia dianthiflora care

    https://karnivores.com/blogs/plant-care/alsobia-dianthiflora
  7. 7