Grow Streptocarpella Indoors for Yearround Blooms

Give a gift that keeps giving throughout the year. Streptocarpella is a relative of the African violet that produces dainty purplish-blue flowers yearround.

Grow streptocarpella in a warm draft-free location with bright indirect light. Mine is thriving set back just a bit from an east-facing window. Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil is starting to dry and pour off any water that remains in the saucer. Use tepid water to avoid damaging the leaves. Or water the plant from the bottom. Just set the pot in a shallow container of warm water for about an hour.

The fuzzy dark green leaves are attractive on their own and are a nice backdrop for the elongated violet-like flowers. Sterptocarpella forms a rounded mound 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Over time it forms trailing stems making it suitable for hanging baskets.

A bit more information: Streptocarpella can also be used outdoors in the summer or yearround in zones 9 to 11. This shade loving flowering plant adds color to those shady locations and makes a nice addition to containers and hanging baskets.