Creeping Gloxinia Plant Care
Lophospermum erubescens D.Don
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Lophospermum erubescens, known as Mexican twist or creeping gloxinia, is a climbing or sprawling herbaceous perennial plant, native to the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Mexico, where it is found along forest margins or canyon walls. It climbs by means of twining leaf stalks.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Creeping Gloxinia?
Water Creeping Gloxinia every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Creeping Gloxinia Native To?
What Is the Creeping Gloxinia?
Creeping Gloxinia (Lophospermum erubescens) belongs to the Plantaginaceae family within the Lophospermum genus. Creeping Gloxinia is native to the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Mexico. Creeping Gloxinia is also known as Mexican Twining Snapdragon.
Creeping Gloxinia displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Creeping Gloxinia produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or red.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Creeping Gloxinia?
Lophospermum erubescens requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Creeping Gloxinia Need?
Creeping Gloxinia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Creeping Gloxinia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Creeping Gloxinia Prefer?
Lophospermum erubescens grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Creeping Gloxinia prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Creeping Gloxinia?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Creeping Gloxinia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Creeping Gloxinia?
Feed Creeping Gloxinia every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Creeping Gloxinia?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Creeping Gloxinia?
Creeping Gloxinia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lophospermum breedlovei plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Creeping Gloxinia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Creeping Gloxinia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Creeping Gloxinia?
Creeping Gloxinia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Creeping Gloxinia Need?
Creeping Gloxinia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Creeping Gloxinia is native to the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains of Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Creeping Gloxinia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Creeping Gloxinia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lophospermum genus — compare its care with other Lophospermum species on PlantoScan.
Lophospermum is part of the Plantaginaceae plant family — browse all Plantaginaceae genera and species.
Creeping Gloxinia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lophospermum erubescens D.Don, family Plantaginaceae (first published in Brit. Fl. Gard. 4: t. 68, note post t. 75 (1830)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Creeping Gloxinia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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