Family: Gesneriaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Episcia dianthiflora, commonly known as lace flower vine, is a small tropical plant in the African violet family native to Central America, particularly Costa Rica, Panama, and nearby regions. It is valued as an ornamental houseplant and hanging basket plant because of its delicate appearance and attractive foliage. The plant produces trailing stems with soft, velvety green leaves and distinctive white tubular flowers with finely fringed petals that resemble lace, giving rise to its common name. Lace flower vine thrives in warm, humid conditions and partial shade, making it popular for indoor growing, terrariums, and shaded garden spaces in tropical climates.

Risks & Threats
Lace flower vine is considered a low-risk species and has not shown evidence of becoming invasive. It spreads slowly, mainly through creeping stems and vegetative growth, and typically remains confined to cultivated settings. There are no major reports of the plant escaping cultivation or negatively impacting natural ecosystems. With responsible planting and basic garden management, Episcia dianthiflora can be safely enjoyed as an ornamental plant without posing a significant threat to Hawaiʻi’s environment.

High Risk Traits:

• Reproduces vegetatively via creeping, rooting stems and stolons.
  
• Well-suited to tropical/subtropical climates.
  
• Tolerant of shade.
  
• Fleshy fruit is adapted for bird dispersal and can survive gut passage.
  
• An ornamental plant, frequently dispersed intentionally by people.
  
• Congeners are listed as weeds.

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization or weediness anywhere.
  
• Climate-sensitive; intolerant of cold temperatures.
  
• Rarely produces viable seed in cultivation.
  
• Requires specialist pollinators (euglossine bees) for seed set.
  
• Self-incompatible (unable to self-fertilize).
  
• Lacks adaptations for wind, water, or external animal dispersal.
  
• Creeping habit; does not form dense, smothering thickets.