Streptocarpus make excellent pot plants for the house, conservatory or greenhouse and over recent years many new and exciting varieties have been introduced. These have been bred to have a long flowering season on compact plants. To succeed, streptocarpus like good light conditions, but not bright sunshine, as this can quickly scorch the foliage. If growing in a conservatory or greenhouse shade the plants to create dapple shade from May to September. In the house grow them on a north or east facing windowsill. With regular deadheading and feeding with a high potash fertiliser, you will have a wonderful display of flowers for many months.
A very simple way to propagate your favourite streptocarpus is by taking leaf cuttings in early summer. It looks a little strange, but it works well. Once prepared, insert the cut leaves into compost where new roots will develop from the cut veins, followed by clusters of new, tiny plants along the base of the old leaf. When an inch or two tall, they can carefully be divided and potted to grow on in small pots.
When propagating this way, always choose a new, healthy leaf as old leaves do not root as quickly. From one leaf you can produce several new plants and, of course, they’ll all be identical to the parent plant.