Streptocarpus spp.

African primrose

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Streptocarpus spp. is a genus of about 150 species of perennials and subshrubs in the gesneriad family, native to Africa and Madagascar. Growth habit varies widely: many species form a basal rosette of soft, wrinkled, strap-shaped leaves, some produce only a single large leaf that persists for years, and others (formerly placed in Streptocarpella spp.) make branching leafy stems. Plants range from 2-18 inch (5-45 cm) tall. Flowers are tubular to funnel-shaped, 0.5-3 inch (1.5-8 cm) long, carried singly or in small clusters on slender stalks, in white, blue, purple, pink, red, and two-toned patterns with contrasting throat markings. The fruit is a slender capsule that twists spirally as it dries, the feature behind the genus name. Leaves are brittle and break easily, and most species are damaged by temperatures below about 50F (10C). Many rosette species flower over a long season in cultivation, while stem-forming species bloom in flushes. Most grow as understorey or rock-crevice plants in shaded, humid, frost-free habitats.

Native Range

Streptocarpus spp. is native to central, eastern, and southern Africa and to Madagascar, with the greatest concentration of species in South Africa and the eastern escarpment. Plants grow in shaded forest, cliff faces, and rocky stream banks.

Suggested Uses

Grown as flowering houseplants, on windowsills, and in heated conservatories. Trailing stem-forming types are used in hanging displays. Rosette types are grown in shallow pots for compact form.

How to Identify

Recognized by soft, wrinkled, strap-shaped leaves, often in a flat basal rosette, and tubular five-lobed flowers held on thin stalks. The ripe seed capsule twists into a tight spiral, separating it from similar gesneriads. Some species grow as a single long-lived leaf rather than a rosette.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 1'6"

Width/Spread4" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

In cultivation, rosette species flower from spring through autumn and sometimes year-round under warm, bright conditions. Wild plants flower mainly in the warm, wet season. Each flower lasts one to two weeks, with successive stalks extending the display.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, blue, purple, pink, red, two-toned

Foliage Description

Green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam peat

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in bright, indirect light in an open, free-draining potting mix kept lightly moist. Plants are damaged below about 50F (10C) and are grown indoors or under glass in temperate regions. Water is applied to the soil rather than the leaves, which spot and rot from standing moisture, and the mix is allowed to dry slightly between waterings. High humidity and steady warmth support continuous flowering. Brittle leaves break under handling. Vine weevil, aphids, and mealybugs are common pests.

Pruning

Pruning is limited to removing spent flower stalks and faded or damaged leaves at the base. Stem-forming species can be pinched to encourage branching. Cut leaf sections are used for propagation.

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennial