About
An evergreen perennial to about 25cm, producing a compact rosette of narrow, hairy, strap-shaped leaves. Clusters of purple flowers, 3.5cm across, are produced from early spring to late autumn, and often into winter.
About the genus
Streptocarpus can be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with usually wrinkled, lance-shaped to rounded leaves and clusters of tubular to trumpet-shaped flowers with 5 spreading lobes, often borne throughout the year
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow as a houseplant in free-draining compost on an east or west-facing windowsill, or grow in a temperate or warm greenhouse in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water sparingly as compost dries in winter and in the growing season water freely allowing compost to dry out between waterings; feed fortnightly with a high-potassium fertiliser. See Streptocarpus cultivation
PruningRemove faded flower stems
PropagationPropagate by leaf cuttings or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse leafhoppers, mealybugs, thrips, vine weevil and tarsonemid mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis) or powdery mildews