Streptocarpus holstii grows as a sub or sub-shrub with relatively thick watery stems and attractive somewhat variable flowers. It is native to the East Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, where it grows in the rain forest in damp locations like riverside and on rocks in flowing rivers, and can also be found growing epiphytically. Its bright flowers (which can vary in color) have made it popular as a horticultural subject.

S. holstii is difficult to distinguish from its close relative S. glandulosissimus, which has a more extended range within tropical East Africa, including Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and others. One of the principal features distinguishing the species is the structure of the flowers. S. holstii has truly personate flowers, which means that the throat is almost totally closed off by the lower corolla lobes, which jut forward at an angle that can approach ninety degrees. It is assumed that an insect landing on the jutting lower lobes will cause the throat to open, allowing access to nectar lower in the tube. S. glandulosissimus has lower lobes that angle more downward, and do not fully obstruct the throat. This difference implies different pollinators. The flowers of S. holstii are usually somewhat larger.

• Another view of flowers, showing a somewhat different color but very similar flower structure
• The large basket plant from which those flowers were photographed
• A plant growing in the garden of the photographer, in South Africa
• A fine show plant, illustrating the fleshy stems and floriferous nature of the species