Plant Library

Other Names:  Streptocarpus sub. streptocarpella, Cape Primrose

Description:

Dainty, airy violet-blue flowers with white eyes rise above soft, medium green leaves on this lovely compact plant; perfect to present in hanging baskets, patio containers, and beds

Ornamental Features

False African Violet features dainty panicles of blue tubular flowers with violet overtones and white throats rising above the foliage from mid spring to mid fall. Its tomentose oval leaves emerge light green in spring, turning bluish-green in color the rest of the year. The burgundy stems can be quite attractive.

Landscape Attributes

False African Violet is an herbaceous evergreen tropical plant with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It has no significant negative characteristics.

False African Violet is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

This plant is native to the tropics and prefers growing in moist environments with evenly warm conditions all year round. In our climate, it is usually grown as an outdoor annual in the garden or in a container. If you want it to survive the winter, it can be brought in to the house and provided with special care, and then returned to the garden the following season. In its preferred tropical habitat, it can grow to be around 8 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. However, when grown as an annual or when overwintered indoors, it can be expected to perform differently, and its exact height and spread will depend on many factors; you may wish to consult with our experts as to how it might perform in your specific application and growing conditions.

This plant does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.

False African Violet is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.