Streptocarpus
Cape primrose
- Height × spread
- 0.2m – 0.3m × 0.2m – 0.2m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 130 species of the Cape Primrose. These include some annual forms but they are generally perennial in character. The plants are best known in cultivation in hybrid form. The ornamental forms most commonly seen have fleshy quite chunky leaves, rather like those of a primrose. The flowers are lifted on slender branching stems and many varieties have an airy grace all their own. The individual flowers have a long tube at their base and the flower petals open out from these, generally rounded with five deep cut-lobes which give the appearance of individual petals. They come in a wide range of colours and bi-colours though yellow and orange are not part of the palette (at least so far). They are not frost-hardy and like bright indirect light. They need regular feeding with a potash-rich fertiliser and the compost is best allowed to dry out before being watered again.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone
- Height
- 0.2m – 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 5C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with high potash feed
Feed fortnightly when in growth using a high potash house plant fertiliser.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where potassium has a high value
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water houseplant when dry
Let the soil dry between waterings and then water thoroughly. Don't leave the plant standing in water, and try to avoid splashing the foliage on hot sunny days or it could cause the leaves to burn.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Feed with high potash feed several times
Apply a fertiliser that is high in potash (potassium) several times while the plant is in flower.
Where fertiliser values are listed on a packet they are in order - nitrogen, phosphate, potassium with percentage values of each. For high potash choose a fertiliser where potassium is higher.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
5C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 5 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
More Streptocarpus
Streptocarpus 'Albatross'
Cape primrose
Streptocarpus 'Bethan'
Cape primrose
Streptocarpus 'Betty'
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Streptocarpus 'Carys'
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Streptocarpus 'Crystal Ice'
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Streptocarpus 'Falling Stars'
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Streptocarpus 'Gloria'
Cape primrose
Streptocarpus 'Harlequin Blue'
Cape primrose