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Saintpaulia

Common name: African violet

Saintpaulia is a genus of small, rosette-forming herbs native to the cloud forests of Tanzania and Kenya, especially the Usambara Mountains. With fuzzy leaves and clusters of violet, pink, or white flowers, it blooms readily indoors and has been a beloved windowsill plant for over a century.

Fun facts

  • Despite the name, African violets are not true violets — they belong to the gesneriad family.
  • A single leaf cutting placed in soil or water can root and grow into a whole new plant.
  • Hybridizers have produced tens of thousands of registered cultivars in nearly every color but true blue and yellow.
  • Cold water on the fuzzy leaves can leave pale spots, so growers often water from below.

Care summary

Sun Bright indirect light
Water Keep evenly moist; avoid wetting leaves
Soil Light, slightly acidic African violet mix
Hardiness Zones 11–12
Mature height 8–15 cm (3–6 in)
Pet safe Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Common problems

    • Water from below, not overhead
    • Let the surface dry between waterings
    • Repot into fresh, free-draining mix
    • Use room-temperature water only
    • Keep water off the foliage
    • Wick-water from the base instead
    • Isolate and discard badly infested plants
    • Treat lightly affected plants with miticide
    • Quarantine new plants before adding
    • Move to bright, indirect light
    • Feed with diluted bloom fertilizer
    • Keep temperatures steadily warm