Streptocarpus, a
genus of afrotropical plants, are popular house plants. This member of the Gesneriaceae is native to the humid
mountain forests of Africa and Madagascar. They make for interesting pot plants
as the flowers seem to grow directly from the base of a large leaf.
The members of the subgenus Streptocarpella are very different as they have actual stems with
flowering shoots sprouting from every node. These flowers are relatively small
and come in a limited colour range of violet, purple, pink and white. Streptocarpella saxorum 'Concord Blue'
is a popular plant for window boxes and hanging baskets. My grandmother grew
them as Bavarian Bells.
Despite the name the cultivar Concord Blue has violet
flowers. The plants prefer warm growing conditions with high air humidity, so
in temperate zones they are only grown outside in summer. The perennial plants
can be cut back and taken indoors for winter. Cuttings strike easily. As the
leaves burn easily a position in (semi)shade is preferable!
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