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Streptocarpus 'Polka-Dot Purple'

Cape primrose 'Polka-Dot Purple'

A tender perennial plant with linear, hairy, wrinkled mid-green leaves. Tubular purple flowers with spreading lobes have white edging and speckling and are borne in profusion over a long period

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple White Green
Summer Purple White Green
Autumn Purple White Green
Winter Purple White Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow 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

Propagation

Propagate by division or take leaf cuttings in spring or early summer. Root stem-tip 5-8cm long in spring with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse leafhoppers, mealybugs, thrips, vine weevil and tarsonemid mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis) or powdery mildews

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