Plant care
Free-flowering Streptocarpus (Kranskop Streptocarpus) care
Streptocarpus floribundus
Also called Free-flowering Streptocarpus, Kranskop Streptocarpus.
Watering rhythm
5-7days
Water when the top 1 cm of compost feels dry; roughly every 5–7 days in summer, less frequently in winter.
Light
Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)
Soil
Peat-free, open, moisture-retentive mix with added perlite
Humidity
50–70%
Temp
12–22°C
Pet safety
Pet-safe
Mature size
Leaves 25–50 cm long
Care at a glance
Light
Free-flowering Streptocarpus is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Provide bright but indirect light, such as an east or north-facing windowsill; direct summer sun bleaches and scorches the soft, hairy leaves. Artificial grow-lights work well for winter and low-light settings. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.
Watering
Water free-flowering streptocarpus water when the top 1 cm of compost feels dry; roughly every 5–7 days in summer, less frequently in winter.. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Streptocarpus prefer to be slightly on the dry side; always allow the surface of the compost to dry before watering again and never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water. Bottom-watering for 20–30 minutes helps avoid wetting the leaves and crown.
Soil and pot
Free-flowering Streptocarpus grows best in peat-free, open, moisture-retentive mix with added perlite. A 50:50 blend of peat-free multi-purpose compost and perlite drains freely while holding just enough moisture; avoid dense, heavy composts that stay wet around the crown and cause rot. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.
Humidity and temperature
Free-flowering Streptocarpus sits happiest at around 50–70% humidity and 12–22°C (54–72°F). Appreciates moderate to high humidity reflecting its cool, shaded cliff-face habitat; avoid misting the leaves (encourages fungal spots) and instead use a pebble tray with water or a nearby humidifier. If you keep the room above 12–22°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.
Fertilising
Feed free-flowering streptocarpus sparingly. Feed with a high-potash liquid fertiliser (tomato feed type) at quarter-strength every two weeks during the flowering season; reduce to monthly at quarter-strength in winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.
Common problems
Below are the issues we see most often on free-flowering streptocarpus in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.
- Crown and root rot — The most frequent killer; caused by wet, compacted compost or water sitting in the crown. Repot into fresh open mix, remove all soft or blackened tissue, and dust cut surfaces with cinnamon or powdered sulphur before repotting.
- Powdery mildew — White powdery coating on leaf surfaces occurs in stagnant, humid air with low light; improve ventilation, remove affected leaves, and apply a potassium bicarbonate or sulphur-based fungicide.
- Vine weevil larvae — C-shaped grubs eat roots, causing sudden wilt; unpot to inspect and treat with biological controls (Steinernema kraussei nematodes applied in autumn) or a licensed vine weevil compost drench.
Propagation
Leaf cuttings are the standard method: cut a healthy leaf into 4–5 cm sections and insert upright in a 50:50 perlite-and-compost mix; plantlets emerge from the cut veins within 6–8 weeks at 20°C. Can also be grown from very fine seed sown on the surface of damp compost without covering. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.
Toxicity to pets
Free-flowering Streptocarpus is pet-safe. The ASPCA lists Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus spp.) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. No toxic principles have been identified in the genus. As with any plant material, large quantities may cause mild, transient digestive upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).
Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.
Free-flowering Streptocarpus care — frequently asked questions
What is the common name for Streptocarpus floribundus?
Streptocarpus floribundus is most commonly called Free-flowering Streptocarpus, but it is also known as Free-flowering Streptocarpus, Kranskop Streptocarpus. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Free-flowering Streptocarpus apply identically to anything sold as Kranskop Streptocarpus.
How much light does free-flowering streptocarpus need?
Free-flowering Streptocarpus grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Provide bright but indirect light, such as an east or north-facing windowsill; direct summer sun bleaches and scorches the soft, hairy leaves. Artificial grow-lights work well for winter and low-light settings.
How often should I water free-flowering streptocarpus?
Water free-flowering streptocarpus water when the top 1 cm of compost feels dry; roughly every 5–7 days in summer, less frequently in winter.. Streptocarpus prefer to be slightly on the dry side; always allow the surface of the compost to dry before watering again and never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water. Bottom-watering for 20–30 minutes helps avoid wetting the leaves and crown. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.
Is free-flowering streptocarpus toxic to cats and dogs?
Free-flowering Streptocarpus is pet-safe. The ASPCA lists Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus spp.) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. No toxic principles have been identified in the genus. As with any plant material, large quantities may cause mild, transient digestive upset.
What USDA hardiness zone does free-flowering streptocarpus grow in?
Free-flowering Streptocarpus is rated for USDA zone 10-12 (indoor in most climates) and RHS hardiness H1b. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.
Free-flowering Streptocarpus deep-dive guides
Every aspect of free-flowering streptocarpus care, each with its own calibrated guide:
- Common free-flowering streptocarpus problems & fixes
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus watering schedule
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus light requirements
- Best soil mix for free-flowering streptocarpus
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus fertilizing guide
- When to repot free-flowering streptocarpus
- How to propagate free-flowering streptocarpus
- How to prune free-flowering streptocarpus
- What's eating my free-flowering streptocarpus?
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus growth rate & size
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus cold hardiness
- Free-flowering Streptocarpus temperature & humidity
- Is free-flowering streptocarpus toxic to cats & dogs?
- Is free-flowering streptocarpus toxic to cats?
- Is free-flowering streptocarpus toxic to dogs?
- All 43 Streptocarpus varieties
Featured in these plant shortlists
Free-flowering Streptocarpus qualifies for 6 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:
- Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
- Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
- Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
- Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
- Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
- Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
- Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more
Related guides
Free-flowering Streptocarpus is also commonly called Free-flowering Streptocarpus or Kranskop Streptocarpus.