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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Streptocarpus 'White Butterfly'

Cape primrose 'White Butterfly'

A tender perennial, up to 30cm high, with oval, green, softly-hairy leaves and upright stems carrying sprays of white flowers, 2.5cm across, throughout the year

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White Green
Summer Green White Green
Autumn Green White Green
Winter Green White Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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 stem softwood cuttings in spring and early summer

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

No pruning required except removal of dead flowers and stems

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

Get involved

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