Saintpaulia spp.

African violet

Gesneriaceae Eastern Africa (Tanzania, Kenya)

HardinessZones 11–12

Overview

Saintpaulia spp. is a genus of low, evergreen perennial herbs in the family Gesneriaceae, native to the cloud forests and rocky outcrops of eastern Africa. Long grown as African violets, plants form compact rosettes 2-6 in (5-15 cm) tall and 4-16 in (10-40 cm) wide, with rounded, thick, hairy leaves on short fleshy stalks. The leaves are deep green, sometimes flushed red beneath, and arranged in flat to mounded rosettes. Clusters of five-petalled flowers 0.5-1.5 in (1.3-4 cm) across rise just above the foliage in shades of violet, purple, blue, pink, red, and white, with single and double forms across the many cultivars. In warm, stable conditions plants bloom on and off year-round. The genus needs warmth, even moisture, humidity, and bright indirect light, and it is damaged by cold, by water sitting on the leaves in sun, and by direct midday sun. Most species are restricted to small, threatened wild ranges.

Native Range

Saintpaulia spp. is native to eastern Africa, centred in the Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests of Tanzania and southeastern Kenya. Wild plants grow on shaded, humid rock faces and forest floors, and several are rare and threatened in habitat.

Suggested Uses

Grown chiefly as a flowering houseplant on bright windowsills and under grow lights, and in terrariums and greenhouses. In frost-free climates it is used as a shaded groundcover or container plant.

How to Identify

Look for a low rosette of rounded, thick, softly hairy leaves on short fleshy stalks, deep green and often red-tinged beneath. Five-petalled flowers in violet, purple, pink, red, or white are carried in small clusters just above the leaves. The velvety leaves and clustered flat-faced flowers identify the African violets.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2" - 6"

Width/Spread4" - 1'4"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~40 weeks

Spring Summer Fall Winter

In warm, stable indoor conditions flowering recurs through much of the year, with flushes every few weeks. Outdoors in frost-free climates bloom is heaviest in the warmer months. Each cluster holds several flowers that open in succession over weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

violet, purple, pink, red, or white

Foliage Description

deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade

Tolerates up to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 6.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

peat loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

6-12 months

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Saintpaulia spp. grows in bright, indirect light at warm room temperatures, ideally 65-80 F (18-27 C), on a light, free-draining, humus-rich mix. Water is applied to the soil or from below and kept evenly moist but never waterlogged, since cold water on the leaves in sun causes spotting and standing water causes crown rot. A soil pH near 6.0-6.5 is suitable, with moderate humidity. The genus is frost-tender and is killed by temperatures near freezing. Feeding is light and regular during active growth. Direct hot sun scorches the leaves.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stalks and old, damaged, or yellowing outer leaves at the base to keep the rosette open and tidy. Offsets that crowd the centre can be detached and grown on separately.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Perennial