African Violet: Overview

The African Violet (Saintpaulia Ionantha) is a beautiful flowering plant with velvety leaves and flowers that resemble a violet. This plant is native to eastern Africa. This popular houseplant is part of the Gesneriaceae family, making it a relative of gloxinia and various primroses. The African Violet flower is usually purple but can come in an assortment of colors, ranging from bright pink to nearly black, not to mention its multi-colored varieties.

It can grow outdoors in hardiness zones 11-12, as long as it is placed out of direct sunlight. This charming tropical plant prefers a warm location with bright to moderate indirect light. The African Violet is a super easy-going plant, which not only produces lovely, year-round blooms but is also known for its notable air-purifying properties. This flowering plant is non-toxic and safe for pets.

Just like other violets, the African Violet symbolizes faithfulness and devotion and love, which makes it a natural gift idea for a significant other. Moreover, this lovely plant is associated with wealth and abundance in Feng Shui because of its round, coin-like leaves.

African Violet: Alternative Names

• Kenya Violet
• Usambra Violet
• Streptocarpus ionanthus

African Violet Plant: Care Guide

The African Violet has been consistently popular as a houseplant through the years, and no wonder – caring for Saintpaulia ionantha is easy.  

Watering

A key aspect of African Violet care is ensuring you don’t overwater your plant. Don’t be fooled by its soft leaves and tender blooms; this hardy plant prefers to dry out entirely before repeated watering. Avoid splashing water onto the plant’s leaves to prevent white or brown spots on them.

Light, Temperature, and Humidity

Keep your Saintpaulia ionantha in a place with bright or medium indirect light for optimal growth. Avoid putting it in direct sunlight as this can scorch its leaves, and ideally make sure it receives 8 hours of darkness during the night. The African Violet prefers evenly warm temperatures from 65℉ to 80℉, with no cold drafts. Your Saintpaulia will appreciate some extra humidity. Either get a plant mister to spitz your plant occasionally or place a pebble tray underneath its pot.

Soil, Repotting, Fertilizing, and Propagation

Use a well-draining potting mix when repotting your African Violet plant. To improve aeration and drainage, you can also add some vermiculite and perlite to the mix. If your plant has developed a bare stem where the lower wilted leaves were removed, cover it with the soil up to the first leaves. Use a ceramic, terracotta, or other breathable pot for best effect. Ideally, wait until spring to repot your plant. Feed your repotted plant every 4-6 weeks with a liquid African Violet fertilizer to encourage more blooms.

You can use any healthy cuttings for propagation. Put the cuttings in moist soil and cover them with a transparent plastic bag to increase humidity. Once the roots become strong, you can transplant the baby plants into a bigger pot.

Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues

When choosing an African Violet for sale, ensure the plant’s leaves are fresh and healthy-looking. Prune your Saintpaulia African Violet to remove dead or damaged leaves and snip off the faded flowers to promote the forming of new buds. Use a makeup brush to clean the violet’s fuzzy leaves and remove any dust. Avoid washing the leaves under a shower for the best African Violet plant care.

Your plant’s leaves are a good indication of its overall health. Faded, bleached-out leaves show that the location is too bright for your Saintpaulia. Move it to a place with dimmer light. Curling leaves are often a result of exposure to cold air, while limp leaves may indicate overwatering or underwatering. In this case, check the plant’s soil to determine whether your plant is getting too much or too little water.  

Saintpaulia African Violet: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants

Saintpaulias are amazing small plants, compact enough to grow on your desk or windowsill. Their abundant colorful blooms lift your mood.

Best Locations & Uses

• Perfect for office desks, windowsills, or other compact spaces
• Suitable for plant lovers with pets and small children
• Ideal easy-care plants for beginners or people with busy schedules
• A great porch plant in warmer climates
• The perfect delicate blooming plant for bedrooms with bright to medium light

Companion Plants

Are you wondering which other pet-friendly plants to combine your Saintpaulia ionantha with? Here are some ideas:

• Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides): A fun and easy-going plant, the compact Chinese Money Plant is a popular Feng Shui symbol of good fortune and wealth.
• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum): With its lovely, airy foliage and low watering requirements, the Maidenhair Fern is uniquely gorgeous and very easy to grow.
• Peacock Plant (Calathea roseopicta): Its striking patterned leaves that fold in the evening, as if in prayer, make the Peacock Plant an eye-catching centerpiece in any living space.

Alternative Plants

If you love the idea of flowering plants but want to look for a different variety, here are several blooming plants that you can buy instead of the African Violet:

• Calandiva Plant (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana ‘Calandiva’): The colorful Calandiva Plant is another attractive bloomer that requires little extra maintenance and will flower repeatedly.
• Blooming Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana): The stunning succulent plant, Blooming Kalanchoe, is best known for its lasting, bright-colored flowers and low-maintenance care requirements.
• Ranunculus Premier (Ranunculus spp.): Ranunculus Premier is a beautiful plant with gorgeous, pastel-colored blooms that is ideal for patios or gardens and grows well in pots.

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