False African Violet Streptocarpus saxorum

False African violet is a small herbaceous evergreen perennial that has attractive flowers and foliage. It is native to southeast Kenya and Tanzania where it is typically found in sunny spots along rocks and cliffs. The specific epithet, saxorum, is Latin for "of the rocks" and refers to its being found among rocks. This species is a member of the gloxinia family (Gesneriaceae). It grows up to 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide with a mounding and trailing habit and has velvety green leaves and small violet flowers. 

This plant is easy to grow. It can be planted in a container either indoors or outdoors and requires a warm, sheltered, and shady spot. It prefers light shade and well-drained humus-rich soil or loam-based peat compost mix. Allow the soil or potting mix to dry out between watering. The roots are very shallow, and overwatering can cause fungal diseases. Protect this plant from drying winds and remove all dead or unhealthy flowers and foliage. This plant is easily propagated from stem cuttings. In the early spring, plants can be grown from seeds or large established plants can be propagated by division. 

The false African violet has a mounding habit and slender hairy stems that become woody with age. The leaves are small, green with soft hairs. They are elliptic to ovate and occur in whorls of three. The flowers grow on slender stalks, and the blooms are tubular and can be single or paired. The tube is white with lilac-mauve to violet lobes. The lower three petal lobes are larger than the two upper lobes. The small flowers appear during the spring and summer, and sometimes blooming can last into the winter. The fruits are narrow twisted seed pods. The dehisce when ripen and twist open to release the small seeds.

The false African violet's attractive flowers and foliage will add interest to your home, patio or shade garden. In the United States, this plant is typically grown as a houseplant or in a hanging basket. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for caterpillars and mealybugs. Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal infections. Overwatering can cause root rot. Leaf scorch can occur from direct midday sunlight.

More information on Streptocarpus.