Water: The soil should be allowed to dry between ​waterings. Streptocarpus is susceptible to root rot. Because of their delicate leaves, consider watering from the bottom (wick watering), but never let the plant sit in water. Let the soil become rather dry between waterings.

How often do you water streptocarpus?

Water: The soil should be allowed to dry between ​waterings. Streptocarpus is susceptible to root rot. Because of their delicate leaves, consider watering from the bottom (wick watering), but never let the plant sit in water. Let the soil become rather dry between waterings.

How do I get my streptocarpus to bloom?

Fertilize the plant once a month from spring through autumn with a high-phosphorous liquid plant food, as phosphorous stimulates bloom. Divide or repot the plant in the spring if it becomes too crowded.

Is streptocarpus an indoor plant?

Streptocarpus are popular, relatively inexpensive, moderately easy-to-grow houseplants in a wide range of attractive colours which will produce flowers over several months. They are also easy-to-propagate.

What conditions do streptocarpus like?

The key to growing streptocarpus is to find a bright window sill away from direct sunlight, and avoid over-watering. Streptocarpus are native to wooded mountain areas, so thrive in dappled shade and free-draining soils.

Why does my Streptocarpus not flower?

Seems quite a lot of people have suffered with healthy plants not flowering, the list following may be some of the reasons. 1 Have you repotted into an extra large pot, you should only go up in pot size by 2 or 3 cm each time you pot on. … 3 Has your plant had plenty of light, but not the full sun of summer.

How do you overwinter streptocarpus?

You will need to keep the plants in a bright situation, during the winter you can give them as much light as possible. A south-facing windowsill will be fine if they are indoors. If they are in a greenhouse or conservatory then they must have enough warmth to keep them frost-free. Stop feeding the plants.

Can you put Streptocarpus outside?

Streptocarpus are happy in normal room temperatures, although they might suffer in overheated rooms during winter and they hate bright sunlight in summer. You can also grow them outside in the garden if you find a sunny, sheltered spot but you will need to keep an eye on them to make sure their leaves don’t scorch.

Do you deadhead Streptocarpus?

Snip off the head of individual flowers as they fade. Deadheading prevents seeding and clears the way for fresh blossoms. When the final flower on a stem wilts, clip off the entire stem at ground level.

Is streptocarpus an annual or perennial?

Streptocarpus is a genus of over 150 species of herbaceous perennials native to mountain slopes of tropical central, eastern, and southern Africa. They are common in cultivation and are grown for their large, showy flowers and long bloom time.

Article first time published on

When should I repot my streptocarpus?

After about 6 months in its final, larger, pot, your strep will need to be repotted again into fresh soil. By then, the plant may be thick with foliage and you may notice more than one plant, or “crown”, growing in the pot.

Does streptocarpus flower all year?

Plants should be potted into a slightly larger pot each spring; if possible, use ½ or ¾ depth pots. Given this treatment you will be rewarded by a continuous display of flowers from about April until well into winter. All the ‘Crystal Series’ of Streptocarpus will flower all-year long.

What do you feed a streptocarpus?

Feeding. Start feeding in early spring with weak high potash liquid feed every watering or use a slow release tablet specially formulated for Streptocarpus. Stop feeding in early winter.

Is streptocarpus easy to grow?

Streptocarpella is reportedly easy to propagate, especially from stem cuttings. … Keep the cuttings in bright, indirect light at about 65-68°F. Once the roots are about 2 inches long, you can pot up the cutting.

Are streptocarpus African violets?

Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia (“African violet”) is a separate section within Streptocarpus subgenus Streptocarpella. … Molecular systematics has shown conclusively that they are not true Streptocarpus.

Why do streptocarpus leaves go brown?

Humidity – 🔸🔸 Create a humidity tray to provide a moist and stable environment for your plant. If the surrounding saturation is too low or the heat too high, its leaf-tips may start to brown over and curl, especially in direct sunlight.

How do you fertilize streptocarpus?

From March through October fertilize every other watering. Use a fertilizer with a balanced formula (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) mixed at ¼ to ½ the usual strength. Strep roots burn easily from too much fertilizer, so it is prudent to underfeed rather than overfeed.

What to do with streptocarpus after flowering?

Too much sun burns the leaves and fades the flowers. Keep them in a shaded greenhouse or indoors in an East or West window. When you receive your plants, pot them into 3 1/2″ pots as soon as possible using a good peat or fibre based potting compost. Shading is especially important for the first few days.

Can you split streptocarpus?

Can I split a streptocarpus? A. Yes, if it has several distinct crowns. The best time to do it is in the spring.

How long does it take for streptocarpus to bloom?

The plantlet will produce its first bloom in 1-3 months, depending upon variety and conditions. At this point in time, we pot the plant into a 3″ pot, where it should continue to grow and bloom. Unless it is a small, or compact, growing variety, most streps will then need repotting into a 5″ pot in another 6-10 weeks.

How do you revive streptocarpus?

Remove dead or browning leaves with pruning shears immediately, making a straight cut across the leaf at the base of the Cape primrose. Dying leaves take energy from the rest of the plant. Do not remove wilted leaves unless they are brown or dead.

What is the best soil for streptocarpus?

Potting Tips Streptocarpus have a small, shallow root system and are best grown in small pots (15cm or less). They need good drainage so use a special African violet potting mix or have a go at making your own. Start with a premium quality potting mix and simply add 20-30% vermiculite or perlite. Easy!

Does streptocarpus like humidity?

Humidity: Streps love high humidity. Low humidity causes the leaf tips and edges to turn brown. Mist your streps, taking care the soil isn’t too wet. Cool moist humid conditions are prefect for strep growing.

What does a Streptocarpella look like?

Streptocarpella saxorum has wonderful cultivars and is one of my favorite plants. It has cute, velvety, deep-green leaves, and dainty flowers that hang from long stems and almost look like a cloud of butterflies flocking around the plant. There are many cultivars, one of the most common of which is Concord Blue.