African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Despite the name, no relation to true violets — a rosette-forming plant from Tanzania's cloud forests with fuzzy dark-green leaves and near-continuous clusters of small purple, pink, or white flowers. Very long-lived and reliably blooming on a bright windowsill. Safe around pets and children. A traditional 'grandmother plant' earning renewed popularity among modern collectors.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to Tanzania & Kenya)
Light
Bright indirect light (east window ideal)
Bloom Time
Year-round indoors with enough light
Soil
Light, airy mix designed for African violets (peat + perlite + vermiculite)
Water
Bottom-water into the saucer; water on leaves causes brown spots. Keep evenly moist — never soggy.
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Leaf cuttings — snip a healthy leaf with ~5 cm of stem, insert stem into moist mix, cover with a clear bag for humidity; new plantlets appear in 6–8 weeks.
