Streptocarpus 'Pink Leyla'

RHS Plant Profile
Cape primrose 'Pink Leyla'
Cape primrose 'Pink Leyla' John Fielding
Award of Garden Merit
Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

A large-flowered cultivar forming a loose clump of strap-shaped leaves. Upright stems bear bicoloured flowers; the upper petals white and the lowers petals heavily suffused and veined with pink.

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Gesneriaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Streptocarpus can be annuals, perennials or subshrubs, with usually wrinkled, lance-shaped to rounded leaves and clusters of tubular to trumpet-shaped flowers with 5 spreading lobes, often borne throughout the year
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a houseplant in free-draining compost on an east or west-facing windowsill, or grow in a temperate or warm greenhouse in bright filtered light with shade from hot sun. Water sparingly as compost dries in winter and in the growing season water freely allowing compost to dry out between waterings; feed fortnightly with a high-potassium fertiliser. See Streptocarpus cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division or leaf cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut off spent flower stalks

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse leaf hoppers, mealy bug, thrips, vine weevil, greenfly and tarsonemid mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds (botrytis) and powdery mildew