African Violets
African violets make great easy-to-grow houseplants.
These small potted plants love a spot with bright indirect light and moderate temperatures.
The flowers of African violet (Streptocarpus ionanthus) come in shades of pink, purple and white, and in combinations of these colors, too.
Typically when you purchase an African violet, it’ll be happy in the existing container for a while. African violets usually like to be somewhat crowded, but need to be repotted about once a year. They prefer a lightweight potting media.
Water your African violets when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Water from the top or bottom, but don’t let the plant sit in water once it’s absorbed what it can. To create new plants, just snap off a leaf and nestle it in potting soil.
A note on names: African violet was previously known as Saintpaulia ionantha; “Saintpaulia” has been determined to be a section of plants within the genus Streptocarpus. You may still find African violet to be referred to by its old name.
Also on Gardening Solutions
More from UF/IFAS
- African Violets–Ask IFAS
- Florida Plant ID: African Violet
- The African violet: a gift for the holidays–UF/IFAS Blogs Charlotte County