Saintpaulia ‘African Violet’

African Violet – A Classic, Colorful Houseplant Favorite
Botanical Name: Saintpaulia
Common Names: African Violet
Family: Gesneriaceae
Native Range: Eastern Tropical Africa (notably Tanzania and Kenya)

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Bring Vibrant Blooms Indoors with the African Violet

The African Violet is one of the most beloved flowering houseplants, known for its soft, fuzzy leaves and vibrant blooms in shades of violet, blue, pink, or white. These compact plants bloom reliably under the right conditions and bring cheerful color to your home year-round.

While African Violets have a reputation for being finicky, they’re actually quite manageable once you understand their preferences—especially when it comes to light and watering. These plants thrive in bright to medium indirect light and prefer consistent moisture in their soil—but never soggy conditions.

Avoid watering the foliage or crown directly, as this can cause spotting or rot. Bottom watering is the preferred method: simply place your pot in a shallow dish of water and allow the plant to absorb moisture through its roots. Use room temperature filtered or distilled water to avoid damage from minerals found in tap water. Keeping moisture away from the crown also helps prevent crown rot, a common issue with overwatering.

With the proper care, African Violets can bloom continuously and even become a long-lived staple in your collection. Best of all? They’re non-toxic to pets and people, making them an ideal choice for pet-friendly homes.

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Ed’s Care Guide

• Care Level: Best for plant enthusiasts
• Light: Bright to medium indirect light (avoid direct sun)
• Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; bottom watering preferred. Allow the top layer to dry slightly before watering again.
• Water Type: Use distilled or filtered water at room temperature
• Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity (40–60%)
• Temperature: Ideal range is 60–80°F; protect from cold drafts
• Soil: Use a well-aerated, African Violet-specific mix with good drainage
• Feeding: Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for African Violets or one with a higher phosphorus (middle) number (like 10-30-10), diluted to ¼ strength and applied every time you water during the growing season
• Propagation: Leaf cuttings
• Pests to Watch: Mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and occasionally fungus gnats
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans, but always keep plants out of reach of curious paws and little hands

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Fun Fact:

African Violets aren’t true violets (genus Viola)—they belong to the Gesneriad family, and many hybrids trace back to a few wild species native to the cloud forests of Tanzania.

Looking for houseplants that are safe for your furry friends? Check out our Guide to pet-friendly plants and learn how to create a vibrant, pet-safe space today!