StreptocarpusNicolas Guérin
Garden flower · Genus

Streptocarpus

Gesneriaceae

1growers
1specimens
1photos
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Species in this genus

Streptocarpus – 3

Botanical fact sheet

Streptocarpus Lindl. Lindl.

✓ Verified fact sheet Nov 5, 2026

General data for the genus Streptocarpus – there is no separate data for the species yet.

Streptocarpus Lindl.
Illustration of the genusPhoto: Nicolas GuérinCC-BY-SA-3.0source
Taxonomy
Family: Gesneriaceae · Genus: Streptocarpusuncertain
Plant type
Perennial or short-lived, herbaceous plants. The genus includes species with single leaves, multiple leaves, rosette growth, and stem growth.
Native distribution
Tropical and Southern Africa, as well as Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. Its natural occurrence extends to several countries in West, Central, East, and Southern Africa.
Natural habitat
Primarily found in wet tropical and subtropical forests, montane forests, and shady, rocky habitats. Some species live on rocks (lithophyte), while others grow on trees or other plants (epiphyte). The moisture and temperature conditions of the habitats vary by species.
Height / growth form
Plants with diverse growth forms. They can be rosette-forming, single-leaved, multiple-leaved, stemmed, upright, or creeping herbaceous plants. Some species develop a short stem, while others have a single large leaf. Plant size varies significantly by species.
Flowering period
The flowering period varies by species and cultivation conditions. Commonly cultivated Streptocarpus varieties and hybrids typically flower from spring to autumn, with longer flowering under suitable conditions.
Growth & dormancy period
The growth and dormancy periods differ by species. Cultivated hybrids can actively grow and flower for extended periods under appropriate light and temperature conditions. Some wild species may have seasonal or monocarpy life cycles. A uniform dormancy period cannot be defined for the entire genus.
Ecology
The species of the genus exhibit diverse ecological adaptations. Most are associated with shady, humid forest environments. There are also species that are soil-dwelling, rock-dwelling, and epiphytic. Some species develop in montane, cooler, and wetter habitats. Pollination is primarily carried out by insects, with some species involving other animals.
Sources (1)
  1. POWO – Plants of the World Online: Streptocarpus Lindl. · CC BY 4.0
Community knowledge

Tips & experience from members

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Real data

How members water it

Not enough logs yet: at least 3 plants with regular watering logs are needed (now: 0). Waterings logged in Care feed this – anonymised and aggregated.

Care guidelines

How it thrives

Watermedium
Lightbright indirect
Humiditymedium
Min. temperature13 °C
No dormancyDifficulty: ●●○○○✓ Not known to be toxic
What to do when? Tap a month!bloomrest

November · now

Watering

When the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry.

Feeding

No feeding now.

Where to keep it

Bright spot, east or west window.

Blooms best in a small pot, slightly root-bound.

⚠ Pets & children · genus Streptocarpus
Not known to be toxic 🐱 🐶 🧒details →
At a glance

Streptocarpus – what to know

Streptocarpus: a plant genus (Gesneriaceae). Care guidelines: light: bright indirect; water: medium; min. 13 °C. One Perfect Plants Club member grows it (1 photos). It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Streptocarpus?

Moderately: water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, and never let it sit in standing water.

How much light does Streptocarpus need?

It likes bright but indirect light, such as near an east- or west-facing window.

How cold can Streptocarpus get?

Keep it above 13 °C – it is frost-tender and needs a frost-free spot in winter.

Is Streptocarpus toxic to cats and dogs?

It is not known to be toxic to cats or dogs.

When does Streptocarpus flower?

Typical flowering time: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Community intelligence

What members’ data shows

When does it really bloom?

No blooms logged yet. If yours flowers, your data will be the first!

Average watering interval

Days between waterings · based on 1 logs

Conversation

Questions about this species

Care data is for guidance only.

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