Streptocarpus dunnii
Streptocarpus dunnii (Red Cape Primrose) Care Guide
Featured photostreptocarpus-dunnii.jpgStreptocarpus dunnii, sold as Red Cape Primrose, is a member of *Streptocarpus*, an African gesneriad genus of about 175 species closely related to African violets. A Mpumalanga and Eswatini species with a single large fleshy strap leaf and tall stalks of bright scarlet-red trumpet flowers. Unusual among Streptocarpus for its red flower colour and unifoliate habit. Streptocarpus tolerates lower light than most flowering houseplants and produces successive flushes of trumpet-shaped flowers across the year when given consistent care.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix has dried, then water at the soil only.
- Humidity
- 40–70 %
- Temperature
- 15–24 °C
- Soil
- Light, free-draining gesneriad mix with peat or coir and extra perlite for aeration.
- Origin
- Eastern and southern Africa, with the centre of diversity in the Drakensberg mountains and KwaZulu-Natal.
- Mature size
- 15 to 30 cm tall and wide.
Overview
Streptocarpus dunnii sits in Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae), a genus closely related to African violets and centred on the eastern slopes of the Drakensberg. A Mpumalanga and Eswatini species with a single large fleshy strap leaf and tall stalks of bright scarlet-red trumpet flowers. Unusual among Streptocarpus for its red flower colour and unifoliate habit. Modern molecular taxonomy has folded the former Saintpaulia (African violet) into Streptocarpus, so the cape primroses and African violets are now technically congeneric.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light; direct sun bleaches the leaves.
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix has dried — never let the crown sit wet.
- High humidity (above 50 percent) keeps the foliage crisp.
- Feed lightly and often during flowering.
Common Problems
Wilting with moist soil indicates root rot. Brown crown is overwatering at the centre — water at the soil edge only. Pale or scorched leaves are too much direct sun. Failure to flower is usually low light.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
Why does S. dunnii have only one leaf?
S. dunnii is unifoliate — the plant produces one large persistent leaf rather than a rosette of multiple leaves. The single leaf can reach 1 m long over several years. The trait is shared with a small group of Streptocarpus species native to Mpumalanga rocky habitats.
Can I propagate from a single leaf?
Yes — Streptocarpus is one of the easiest plants to propagate from leaves. Cut a healthy leaf in half along the midrib and stand each half cut-edge-down in moist propagation mix; multiple plantlets emerge along the cut within a few weeks.
How do I keep the flowers coming?
Streptocarpus blooms best with steady moisture, bright filtered light, and regular dilute feeding. Pinch off spent flower stalks at the base to encourage new bud production rather than seed-set.
