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Saintpaulia shumensis

Common name: Shume African violet

Saintpaulia shumensis is a small perennial gesneriad endemic to the West Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania, where it grows on shaded, mossy rocks in cloud forest. It forms rosettes of soft, hairy leaves and produces sprays of small pale blue to violet flowers. Though less common in cultivation than S. ionantha, it is grown by African violet enthusiasts and has contributed to hybrid breeding for compact habit and abundant bloom.

Fun facts

  • Its epithet comes from the Shume (Shume Magamba) forest area of the West Usambara Mountains, its only known wild home.
  • Like its relatives, it is now classified taxonomically within Streptocarpus section Saintpaulia.
  • It is valued in hybridizing for passing on a compact, freely flowering, trailing habit.
  • The species is considered threatened in the wild because its tiny native range is vulnerable to deforestation.

Care summary

Sun Bright indirect light; shade from direct sun
Water Keep evenly moist; avoid waterlogged soil and cold water
Soil Light, humus-rich, well-drained potting mix
Hardiness Zones 11–12
Mature height About 8–15 cm (0.3–0.5 ft)
Pet safe Yes; Saintpaulia are non-toxic to cats and dogs
Difficulty Moderate
Propagation Propagate by leaf cuttings as with other African violets: insert a healthy leaf with its stalk into a moist, porous mix, keep warm and lightly humid, and pot up the plantlets that form at the base. Suckers that appear around the crown can also be removed and rooted separately.

Make your own Shume African violet profile

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