How to Grow African Violet 'Constant Nymph'

Wikimedia Commons

African Violet 'Constant Nymph'

Streptocarpus 'Constant Nymph'

flower

Constant Nymph is a stunning Cape Primrose cultivar known for its prolific display of deep purple-blue flowers with distinctive pale throats and thin petals. This compact, non-flowering rosette variety produces an abundance of delicate blooms throughout the year under proper conditions. It's prized by indoor gardeners for its reliable flowering habit and manageable size.

When should you plant African Violet 'Constant Nymph' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my African Violet 'Constant Nymph' timeline →

Example African Violet 'Constant Nymph' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant African Violet 'Constant Nymph'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First African Violet 'Constant Nymph' blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact African Violet 'Constant Nymph' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Bright, indirect light for 12-14 hours daily; prefers east or west-facing windows with filtered sunlight; avoid direct afternoon sun which can bleach flowers

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; water from below using a saucer or self-watering pot to avoid wetting foliage; reduce frequency slightly in winter; use room-temperature distilled or filtered water

📏

Spacing: 6 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers from young transplant; continuous flowering thereafter

🌱

Planting depth: Shallow; plant at soil level with crown slightly above soil surface to prevent rot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, light, peat-based or soilless potting mix

pH: 6.0-6.5

Amendments:

Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Peat moss or coco coir Orchid bark (optional, for extra drainage) Avoid heavy garden soil

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Outdoors in zones 10b-12; primarily grown indoors in containers in cooler climates

10b 11a 11b 12a 12b

Get my African Violet 'Constant Nymph' timeline →

Growth Stages

Propagation

3-4 weeks

Tiny plantlets develop from leaf cuttings or seed, showing first true leaves and minimal root system

Maintain high humidity (60-70%) under clear covers; use very light, sterile soil; provide bottom heat (65-75°F); avoid direct light initially

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Young plants establish robust rosette of hairy, elongated leaves; root system develops strongly

Gradually introduce bright indirect light; maintain consistent moisture; provide warm temperatures (65-75°F); begin dilute fertilization every 2-3 weeks

Pre-flowering

2-3 weeks

Plant develops more numerous leaves and flower buds form at leaf axils; visible inflorescence emergence

Increase phosphorus and potassium in fertilizer to promote blooming; maintain 12-14 hours of daily light; keep humidity at 50-60%

Flowering

8-12 weeks per flush; continuous with proper care

Delicate purple-blue flowers with pale throats open sequentially from lower to upper stem nodes; multiple blooms present simultaneously

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued production; maintain steady moisture and bright light; feed weekly with dilute bloom-promoting fertilizer; temperatures 65-72°F optimal

Maintenance & Reflowering

Ongoing; years

Plant enters cyclical bloom-rest pattern; older leaves gradually decline as new growth continues from crown

Remove senescent outer leaves gently; refresh top 1-2 inches of soil annually; reduce fertilizer in winter; maintain conditions between bloom cycles; repot every 18-24 months

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

African Violet (Saintpaulia) Episcia (Flame Violet) Columnea (Flying Goldfish Plant) Achimenes (Hot Water Plant) Gesneria

Avoid planting near:

Drafty areas and heat vents Direct sunlight exposure Ethylene-producing fruits (ripening apples, bananas) Flowering plants requiring very dry conditions

Common Pests

Isolate infected plant; spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7-10 days; introduce predatory mites if severe
Increase air circulation; use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with neem oil or horticultural oil; treat every 5-7 days for 3 weeks
Mist foliage regularly to raise humidity; spray with water forcefully to dislodge; apply neem oil or miticide if infestation persists; maintain 50-60% humidity
Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use gnat-killing Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) drench; yellow sticky traps for adults
Improve air circulation with small fan; remove affected foliage immediately; avoid wetting leaves; apply fungicide if severe; reduce humidity slightly

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers for Garnish

Culinary

The delicate purple-blue flowers are non-toxic and edible, making them suitable for garnishing desserts, salads, and beverages for visual elegance. While not strongly flavored, they add a subtle, slightly sweet taste. [source]

🏠

Long-blooming Indoor Houseplant

Household

Constant Nymph is prized as a reliable, continuous-flowering houseplant that brightens indoor spaces year-round. Its compact size makes it ideal for shelves, plant stands, terrariums, and windowsills in homes and offices. [source]

🎨

Pressed Flowers & Floral Art

Craft

The delicate petals press beautifully and retain their purple coloration, making them ideal for pressed flower art, bookmarks, resin crafts, and botanical specimens. The thin petals dry quickly and maintain vibrant color. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Garden Indoors

Wildlife

Indoor-grown Constant Nymph flowers attract small pollinators like hoverflies and gnats that may be present indoors. The abundant nectar supports beneficial insects in controlled indoor environments. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Heritage

Medicinal

Streptocarpus species have been used in traditional South African and Asian medicine for mild anti-inflammatory properties, though modern scientific evidence is limited. The plant is non-toxic and safe to have in homes with children and pets. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not harvested in traditional sense. Deadhead spent flowers by pinching or cutting them cleanly just below the flower base to encourage continuous blooming. Remove yellowed or diseased leaves from the base of the rosette. Can collect pollen from flowers for seed production by hand-pollinating between blooms.

Fun Facts

🌱 Constant Nymph was developed and registered as a hybrid cultivar in the mid-20th century and remains one of the most reliable and beloved Streptocarpus varieties among collectors worldwide.
🌱 The scientific name 'Streptocarpus' comes from Greek words meaning 'twisted fruit,' referring to the distinctive spiral seed pods that develop after pollination.
🌱 Unlike African Violets (Saintpaulia), Streptocarpus are technically not African Violets but are in the same Gesneriaceae family; they're native to South Africa and Madagascar and are sometimes called Cape Primroses or Primrose-flowers.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Crown Cultivar Deadhead pH True Leaves

Shop African Violet 'Constant Nymph' plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized African Violet 'Constant Nymph' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start African Violet 'Constant Nymph' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my African Violet 'Constant Nymph' timeline →