About

Jessica' bears mid-pink flowers with darker pink and white markings from the throat of its funnel from spring through to the autumn. Strappy, evergreen leaves are softly hairy and wrinkled.

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
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitBushy
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
PruningDeadhead regularly and remove damaged leaves
PropagationPropagate either by division of clumps or by leaf cuttings in spring or summer
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