Streptocarpus montanus looks like a typical rosulate Streptocarpus but possesses a regular rhizomatous stem. This is different to typical rosulates, which develop a stem consisting of separate phyllomorphs. Inflorescences develop from the leaf axils, not on the phyllomorphs as in other Streptocarpus species. A few very dainty flowers develop on each inflorescence, very pale to medium violet, 12-16 mm long, with 7-9 very fine violet stripes on the floor of the corolla. They are named after the montane forest they occur in, and are typically observed by climbers on their way up to the highest peak in Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro, in northern Tanzania. The species also occurs in similar habitats in montane areas such as Mt Kenya and the Teita Hills in Kenya, as well as Mt Meru, the Pare and Usamabara Mts and the Nguru Mts in Tanzania.

• Another plant, growing on the side of a mossy rock
• A composite of two slightly different flower forms