Theoretically they are true perennials. In practice they will decline after a few years. Plants can be potted up and grown into bigger specimens, but usually in my experiences the old soil will cause the roots to decline and then crown rot sets in. Crown rot starts as a darkening of the stems at the soil line. Plants will begin to wilt even when well watered (plants will also wilt in hot conditions even though moist, but this is a different situation). So, the wise thing to do, which we tend to know but not always follow (ahem, cough, cough) is to start new plants from leaves while the old plants are still at their peak. This takes up more room than just keeping one specimen of a given variety but is a good way to keep plants going.

An exceptional exception to this rule: Back in the 70's there was this very nice and very vigorous cultivar called 'Super Nymph'--fairly plain blue flowers but in great profusion on many stems. This cultivar has disappeared. Many years ago I visited a garden on a tour. It was located in cool foggy San Francsico. The owner had bought the house from the estate of an orchid specialist, who had his garden designed by a great local designer and member of the horticulture society. Anyway, there in the garden were lots of plants of 'Super Nymph' still going strong after 20 years or more. They were planted in highly amended soil in beds of this small jewel-like garden. I did get a cutting but lost it. I haven't been back to that garden in years so don't know if the plants are still growing. The designer of the garden was the late Harland Hand, who I think got the 'Super Nymph's from Bartley Schwarz, who was growing this plant and using it in hybridizing. We all knew each other back then (mid-late 70's) when we were all active in the California Horticulture Society, in San Francisco.

Jon

Adding to Jon's reply, many streps, like perennials, can be rejuvenated through division when repotting. Old crowns will die off, but new crowns grow before the old crowns wither away.

I've been growing Susan that way for more than 5 years. I grow divisions to fill an 8" pot and then divide into three or four pieces. I've been dividing every two-three years. I have exhibited it three times and it won Best of Show in one show and Best Streptocarpus in another.

Wes,

As with many plants the following statement is true:

"Young plants bloom better"

With streptocarpus, I would recommend that you propagate your favorite varieties at least once a year--then you can dispose of the older plants(3 or more years old).

Division does infact re-invigorate an old plant. There is a bit of a misconception in the Strep world today that old plants begin to perform "poorly" due to age. Plants that grow like streps are constantly renewing their growth and therefore maintain "young and fresh divisions" naturally. What causes the "decline" is generally fertilizer salt buildup or other minerals in the soil. Remember to leach your strep fairly frequently, and repot it frequently as well. When you do repot, remove as much soil as you can safely do. This will insure that unwanted salts will be thrown away.

Soil quality will insure the ease of removing the "bad stuff" when you do repot. Try to add at least 1/3 or more of a product such as vermiculite or perlite. This will help prevent tight pockets of compacted soil. Many soils contain peat(which I use), but over fairly little time--peat will compact and almost be water-proof. But adding vermiculite/perlite this will help solve the problem.

Overall--Having a young plant that has been freshly propagated--gives you the chance to "start again"--using the new methods you have learned. Trying new things and methods is part of the joy I get in the plant world.

Having Fun,

Ryan

I have my mothers plants and they're still blooming wildly every summer in San Rafael. mother died in 2001