S. gardenii is growing alongside a plant of Begonia sutherlandii. Both are rooted in a shallow covering of soil at the base of a rock. It also grows epiphytically or on rocks, often along stream banks and in other damp areas. A closeup of the flowers of a cultivated plant shows the interesting green throat. This clone of S. gardenii has black markings on the lobes. A photo of a plant growing in nature can be seen here.