The ten species it contains are native to the tropical regions of Central and South America.

The species are perennial herbaceous plants characterized by a stoloniferous habit, red (rarely orange, pink, blue or yellow) flowers, and frequently have marked or patterned leaves.

[2] For much of the twentieth century Episcia had a broad circumscription but since 1978 has been restricted to a much narrower one, with the genera Paradrymonia, Chrysothemis, Nautilocalyx, and Alsobia separated from it.

They are grown in the tropics, and in temperate regions as houseplants, primarily for their attractive foliage.

Numerous cultivars have been produced, primarily by selection and hybridization of the species E. cupreata and E. reptans.