Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' (Cape Primrose) — Clump forming

Overview

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' is a clump forming conservatory greenhouse in the genus Streptocarpus, part of the Gesneriaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1c. Suggested uses include houseplants and conservatory and greenhouse.

About

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' is a clump-forming Streptocarpus cultivar grown for conservatory and houseplant displays and valued for its extended summer-to-autumn flowering. The plant has deciduous foliage and forms neat clumps suited to pots. It prefers bright light — from full sun to partial shade — on a sheltered south-, east- or west-facing aspect and needs a moist but well-drained loam or sandy mix.

About the genus

Streptocarpus is an Afrotropical genus of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae. The genus is native to Afromontane biotopes from central, eastern and southern Africa, including Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. The flowers are five-petalled, salverform tubes, almost orchid-like in appearance, and hover or arch over the plant, while the pointed, elongate fruit is of a helical form similar to that of the "tusk" of a narwhal.

Wikipedia contributors, "Streptocarpus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Streptocarpus

In the garden

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' is a cultivar of Streptocarpus grown primarily as a conservatory or houseplant. It produces a clump-forming habit with deciduous leaves and is intended for protected indoor or greenhouse conditions where it can be given steady light and moisture. Provide bright light, allowing for either full sun or partial shade, and position the plant on a south-, east- or west-facing windowsill or in a sheltered spot in a greenhouse. Use a loam- or sand-based potting mix that retains some moisture yet drains well; the plant tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH. Keep cultural conditions consistent — avoid waterlogging but do not let the compost dry out completely between waterings. Hardiness is H1c (tender), so it is best kept as an indoor or greenhouse specimen through the year rather than planted outside in the open. Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' is intended for houseplant displays, conservatory benches and greenhouse staging where it can be seen close to eye level. It flowers from June to October, providing a sustained display across the summer into autumn.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Streptocarpus

Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type: Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H1c

Plant details

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
Habit: Clump forming
Foliage: Deciduous
Suggested uses: Houseplants, Conservatory and greenhouse

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Streptocarpus 'Black Panther'

Propagation: Leaf cuttings, Seed, Division
Pest resistance: Aphids, Glasshouse leafhopper, Mealybug, Tarsonemid mites
Disease resistance: Botrytis, Powdery mildew

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Streptocarpus 'Black Panther'?

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' need?

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

Is Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' hardy in the UK?

Streptocarpus 'Black Panther' has an RHS hardiness rating of H1c, meaning it needs a warm, frost-free position of 5–10°C and is best grown under glass in the UK.

How do I propagate Streptocarpus 'Black Panther'?

Leaf cuttings, Seed, Division.

More in the Streptocarpus genus

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