Jesica Conrad
Beltrami County Master Gardener
African violet plants have been popular with indoor growers for more
than a century, but the rest of this plant family (known as
Gesneriads) is not commonly grown. Hybridizers are creating more and
more beautiful choices. One of this large group of spectacular and
long-blooming beauties is streptocarpus, which is commonly known as
cape primrose. Their blooms are stunning and it is an easy
houseplant to manage and propagate. These plants have a very devoted
society of growers and propagators. The cape primrose is in the
Gesneriad Family (Gesneriaceae) along with some very popular and well-
known plants like African violet (Saintpaulia) genus and gloxinia
(Gloxinia) genus.
Cape primrose adapts to many of the same conditions African violets
need. partial shade; most potting mixes give good results. Keep the
soil moist as the plant wilts readily. Use weak fertilizer every week
to 10 days and provide cool temperatures. Ideal temperatures are 70
degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. When the days are 14
hours or longer flowering is best. The soil mix should be light, and
soilless mixes work well. If using packaged African violet soil, add
extra perlite and vermiculite to the mix. The plants need relatively
low light levels and an east window is ideal in most parts of the
country. Lucky me since low light levels are what I have. Frequent
light feedings are better than occasional heavy ones. Stop feeding
whenever the plant ceases new growth. With luck, you should be able
to produce blooms throughout most of the year.
Most growers recommend letting the plants dry slightly between
watering. I find they do just fine if you forget to water them. I
prefer to let them dry just to the point where the ends of the leaves
started to wilt slightly. If I miss watering by a day or two and the
whole plant wilts, they quickly revive after receiving water and
appear none the worse for wear. Even a severe wilting (leaves
completely limp, hanging over the edge of the pot) will not usually
kill the plant, although it would result in some leaf damage.
Like African violets, streptocarpus is ideally suited to growing
under artificial light. The steady, even light prevents the setbacks
that occur during long spells of cloudy weather at the windowsill.
Streptocarpus like just slightly more light than African violets.
Start by placing them 8-10 inches away from a two-tube fixture, and
adjust as necessary.
There are several methods of propagating but I have found that
dividing the plants when they “look” choked works for me. I gently
split the plant apart and replant in violet soil mixed with perlite
and vermiculite. They are gorgeous and provide a conversation piece
in my office. “Look at those blooms, they are gorgeous!
