Non-stop blooming Houseplant – Cape Primrose

cape_primrose_party_pinafore_logeesTropical-looking Cape Primrose is the perfect antidote for bitter winter weather. Whenever I feel a winter blues moment coming on, I turn my gaze to cheerful Streptocarpus near the window sill. Sweet relief! (photo right: ‘Party Pinafore’ Logee’s)

My go-to winter flowering houseplants had always been African violet, Christmas cactus, Cyclamen and Kalanchoe. I’m not saying these are poor choices, but I had a hankering for something different. That is when I discovered the perky, orchid-like blooms of Cape Primrose from Logee’s, Greenhouses, a candy store of rare and unusual plants in Danielson, CT. They offer top-quality plants at their retail center as well as by mail-order.

cape_primrose_texas_hot_chili_logeesNew breeding initiatives have resulted in Cape Primrose that are very compact, topping out between 6”- 12” tall, versus 18”. These smaller hybrids are ideal for window sills and tighter spots where you want a blast of blooms month after month after month. Flowers come in a range of colors. (photo right: S. ‘Texas Hot Chili’ Logee’s)

Cape Primrose is a cousin of African violet. It is not a fussy plant to grow. Put it in a cool spot in bright, indirect light. Like African violet, it dislikes being over watered. Only water when the soil is dry to the touch and make sure not to wet the leaves.

cape_primrose_roulette_cherry_logeesLogee’s Plants for Home & Garden is a wonderful resource of cool and unusual plants. In addition to a large mail-order division, they have a retail store in Danielson, CT. Logee’s offers a wide selection of Cape Primrose, if your local garden centers don’t carry them. (photo right: S. ‘Roulette Cherry’ Logee’s)