Bogota kohleria (Tree gloxinia) care

Light

In the wild bogota kohleria grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Provide bright indirect light without direct sun, replicating the dappled conditions of its Colombian cloud-forest habitat. A bright east or north-east facing window, or a shaded greenhouse, is ideal. Insufficient light reduces flowering; harsh direct sun scorches the hairy leaves. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for every 7–10 days in growth; reduced to every 3–4 weeks in winter for bogota kohleria, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Water thoroughly in spring through autumn, allowing the top 2 cm of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid wetting the hairy foliage — water traps in the trichomes, encouraging botrytis. Use room-temperature water free of excess minerals. In winter, water just enough to prevent the rhizomes from shrivelling.

Soil and pot

Bogota kohleria grows best in light, well-draining peat or coir-based gesneriad mix. A mix of peat (or coir), perlite, and a small amount of vermiculite (roughly 2:1:1) at pH 6.0–6.5 suits this Andean native. Good aeration is critical — the roots are fleshy and rot quickly in heavy soil. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Bogota kohleria sits happiest at around 50–70% humidity and 15–26°C (59–79°F). Prefers moderate to high humidity reflecting its Colombian mountain forest habitat. A pebble tray or humidifier is beneficial in dry interiors. Do not mist the hairy foliage, as trapped moisture causes spotting and fungal issues. If you keep the room above 15–26°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed bogota kohleria sparingly. Apply a balanced or high-potassium liquid fertiliser (e.g. 10-10-20 or tomato-type feed) every 2 weeks during the growing season to support the prolific tubular flowers. Reduce to once a month in early autumn and withhold entirely during winter dormancy. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on bogota kohleria in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Botrytis (grey mould) on foliage — Water trapped in the dense leaf hairs creates ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea. Always water at soil level, ensure good air circulation, and remove any dead or damaged leaves promptly.
• Root rot from overwatering — The fleshy rhizomes store water, making overwatering easy. Always check that the top 2 cm of soil has dried before re-watering, and use a light, porous mix with good drainage.
• Dormancy misread as death — Kohleria dies back to its rhizomes in winter. This is normal dormancy, not plant death. Reduce watering, keep the pot at a minimum of 12°C, and new shoots will emerge in late winter to early spring.

Propagation

Rhizome division in early spring is the easiest method: separate scaly rhizomes into 2–4 cm sections and lay horizontally on moist perlite/peat mix, barely covering; shoots emerge in 2–4 weeks at 20–22°C. Stem-tip cuttings 5–8 cm long root readily in moist perlite under a humidity dome in spring or summer. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Bogota kohleria is pet-safe. Kohleria is not individually listed by the ASPCA. However, the Gesneriaceae family — which includes African violets (confirmed ASPCA non-toxic) — has no documented toxic principles. The genus is widely grown in households without reported toxicity concerns in veterinary literature. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Bogota kohleria deep-dive guides

Every aspect of bogota kohleria care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Bogota kohleria watering schedule
• Bogota kohleria light requirements
• Best soil mix for bogota kohleria
• Bogota kohleria fertilizing guide
• When to repot bogota kohleria
• How to propagate bogota kohleria
• Bogota kohleria growth rate & size
• Bogota kohleria cold hardiness
• Bogota kohleria temperature & humidity
• Is bogota kohleria toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is bogota kohleria toxic to cats?
• Is bogota kohleria toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Bogota kohleria qualifies for 6 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Bogota kohleria is also commonly called Bogota kohleria or Tree gloxinia.

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• Miniature African violet care — light, water and common problems
• All 6887 plant care guides in the Growli library