Cape Primrose Streptocarpus 'Laura'

Water

For Cape Primrose, which is the most common common name for Streptocarpus 'Laura', water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This often equates to once per week, but frequency can vary based on environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. Use room temperature water and gently pour it around the base of the plant until water starts to drain from the bottom of the pot. Ensure that the plant is never sitting in water, as this can lead to root rot. It's usually sufficient to provide around 8-16 ounces of water each time, adjusting the amount as the plant grows or as seasonal conditions change.

Light

Cape Primrose thrives in bright, indirect light. Place the plant near a north or east-facing window where it can receive plenty of light without being exposed to the harsh rays of the direct sun. Avoid placing it in full sun, which can scorch the leaves and lead to wilting. A spot that provides diffused light, such as through a sheer curtain, is ideal.

Temperature

Cape Primrose prefers consistent temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive temporarily outside of this range, but exposure to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stress to the plant. The ideal temperature range provides a comfortable environment for robust growth without threatening the plant with cold damage or excessive heat.

Pruning

Pruning Cape Primrose is crucial for encouraging bushier growth and more blooms. Prune back leggy stems and remove any spent flowers to stimulate new growth. The best time for pruning is immediately after a bloom cycle ends, typically in late summer or early fall. It's often recommended to prune annually, but this can vary depending on the plant's growth pattern and appearance.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus 'Laura') is a lightweight, well-draining potting mix, ideally with added perlite or vermiculite to enhance aeration. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0, to support optimal growth.

Repotting

Cape Primrose should be repotted annually or when it outgrows its current pot. Spring is the best time to repot to minimize stress and allow for vigorous growth in the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Cape Primrose thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, between 50% and 70%, which can often be achieved in a typical home environment.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil lightly moist.

• Outdoor

  Shelter from strong sun; water when topsoil feels dry.

• Hardiness zone

  10-11 USDA

Life cycle

Cape Primrose 'Laura' begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination produces a small rosette of leaves. The rosette grows and matures, developing a robust root system. After a period of vegetative growth, which can vary from a few months to over a year depending on conditions, it begins to produce flower stalks, with blooms typically appearing in a range of colors including shades of pink, purple, and white. Post pollination, if successful, these flowers produce seed pods that ripen and eventually burst, dispersing seeds for the next generation. Throughout its life, Cape Primrose 'Laura' may also be propagated vegetatively via leaf cuttings, where a piece of leaf inserted into the soil can develop roots and grow into a new plant. This plant may go through multiple flowering cycles before eventually senescing, though with proper care it can live and bloom for several years.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Streptocarpus 'Laura', commonly known as the Cape Primrose, can be propagated effectively through leaf cuttings. The best time to do this is during the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate, a healthy leaf is selected and cut across the width into sections, each section with at least one vein. These cuttings are then placed on top of a moist potting mix, ensuring that the vein touches the soil. In a warm environment with indirect light, the cutting will develop roots and eventually form small plantlets at the cut edge. These can be potted up individually once they have formed a small rosette of leaves and have enough root structure to sustain them, usually within a few weeks to a couple of months.