Cape Primrose
Streptocarpus rexii
Also known as
Wild Gloxinia, Twin Sisters
Streptocarpus rexii by Salix (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Shade
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Tender
11b
USDA zone
7°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
30cm | Max | 50cm |
15cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Cape Primrose
Cape Primrose Overview
With its pretty tubular flowers the Cape Primrose is a great addition to any temperate garden, an ideal indoor shade plant and a beautiful pot plant. These flowers that bloom a large part of the year grows naturally on trees or rocks and occur in small populations in forests and cliffs above the sea. Not only can this plant be used as a decorative house plant, but it also serves as a beautiful ground cover and is used in traditional medicinal applications. ZA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape.
Common problems with Cape Primrose
Pests include worms, aphids and mealybugs. Diseases include root rot
Cape Primrose Companion Plants
Ferns
How to harvest Cape Primrose
Make excellent cut flowers, although they may not have the longest stem. They last well. Cut flowers at the base of the stem as soon as the flowers start blooming.
How to propagate Cape Primrose
Seed
Sowing time is in Spring. Sow very shallow. Germination time takes 3-4 weeks.
Cuttings
Leaf cuttings taken in spring and early summer. Select young lush green cutting material from the centre of the plant. Plantlets will form along the base in 1-3 months.
Division
Special features of Cape Primrose
Indoor plant
Makes a perfect indoor plant as long as you ensure that a warm spot with good light is provided indoors but no direct sunlight.
Drought resistant
Has the ability to reduce leaf size, form an abscission layer, or wilt severely during drought, thus reducing stress and water loss, from which it recovers completely when favorable conditions return.
Pot plant
It makes beautiful pot plants.
Attracts useful insects
Insects such as long-tongued flies, butterflies, probably long-tongued moths and bees.
Other uses of Cape Primrose
Decorative house plant.
Medicinal
Used in traditional Zulu medicine, where leaf infusions are drunk to ease birth pains.