African violets, scientifically known as Saintpaulia spp, are a beloved choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. Their compact size, readily available nature, and potential for continuous blooming make them a favorite for adding a touch of color to any home. Originally, only one variety of African violet existed when the plant was first found growing in the coastal woods of East Africa.
Since African violets were first introduced into the horticultural world in 1892, the plant’s easy nature and resulting popularity has encouraged houseplant lovers to cultivate new hybrids. With over 16,000 cultivars of African violets, there are plenty of varieties from which to choose. Some of these varieties look quite similar.
Saintpaulia ionantha
The Origins of African Violets
African violets are native to mountainous regions of tropical eastern Africa. The original native wild plants to be collected and named were Saintpaulia ionantha. These violets grow in rock crevices and along rocky outcroppings in rainforest areas. They have simple, rounded, fuzzy green leaves and single purple flowers.
The African Violet Saintpaulia ionantha was originally discovered in 1892 by Walter von Saint-Paul-Illaire in the wooded Usambara mountains near the border of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. In the fall of 1892, the plant was sent to the Herrenhausen Greenhouse in Hanover, Germany. The African Violet was exhibited for the first time in 1893 and caught the attention of the public. The first commercial hybrids debuted in 1927.
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Almost all of the cultivars available today are derived from the hybridization of two native species: S. ionantha and S. confusa. Many of them bloom in different colors and sizes. There is a tremendous variety of modern African violets with thousands of cultivars. Each variety has a great variability in size, leaf color, flower color, leaf and flower shapes, and plant growth habits.
Understanding African Violet Characteristics
To get familiar with some of these plant characteristics, let’s have a look at some definitions. African violets are divided into two main categories: trailing and rosette. These plants have a single crown growing from one set of roots. Rosettes have leaves arranged in a circular pattern around a central crown. If a rosette African violet appears to have more than one crown, then the plant can be divided into multiple individual plants each with their own root system. Trailing varieties have multiple crowns that develop from the central root. These give the appearance of clusters of flowers growing together.
Finally, African violet leaves show a great deal of variability as well. Leaves may be solid green or variegated green and white. The surface of the leaves may be smooth and flat or ‘quilted’ with highly textured patterns. Leaves also have highly variable textures around the edges, ranging from smooth to slightly indented to very wavy.
Flower Variations
One of the most notable developments in the African Violet has been the mutations of flower parts changing the number of petals. The original flowers with 5 petals are known as singles (ex. ‘Blue Boy’). Flowers with additional partial petals are known as semi-doubles (ex. ‘Baby Brian’). Flowers with extra layers or rows of petals are known as doubles (ex.
The flower colors may be dark blue, as in the original plants, but may also include white, pink, lavender, red, fuchsia, coral and a shade approaching “true” red. The newest plants also have flower colors of green, ivory and yellow. The flowers may be of a single color, or may have darker tips, contrasting eyes, colored edges, spots and streaks, or be multicolored. The flower petals come in different forms.
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There are singles, “stick-tights”, semi-doubles, full doubles, fringed flowers, ruffled flowers, star-shaped flowers, wasp-shaped flowers and bells. Mutations have resulted in the development of varieties with extra blossom parts, most visibly in the form of extra petals.
Leaf Variations
The leaves of African violets are no longer just plain green. The leaves may be “boy leaf’” (plain leaves), “girl leaf” (scalloped leaves with a white dot at the base of the leaf blade), longifolia (long pointed leaves), ruffled, spoon-shaped, quilted, wavy, or bustled. The leaves may have green, silver or red backings and can be variegated in white, pink, tan, cream, or yellow-green. The pattern of variegation may be on the edges of the leaf, the center of the plant, or scattered in a mosaic across the leaf surface.
A few plants have leaves that change color during the day; being yellow-green in the day and dark green at night. Leaf variegation, a pattern of light colors with green, takes two forms. Top is “Tommie Lou” variegation, with lighter areas towards the perimeter of the leaf.
Plant Size and Growth Forms
African violets also come in a variety of sizes and growth forms. The plants may range in size from micro-miniatures that are no more than 3-6 centimeters (1½ -2 inches) across, to large standards that can reach diameters of more than 75 centimeters (30 inches). Many plants grow as a rosette, with leaves radiating from the center like spokes on a wagon wheel. Other plants have multiple growing points and elongated stems that allow them to trail over the edges of the pot. These trailers can also grow quite large, sometimes reaching diameters of over a meter (3½ feet).
A Glimpse at Unique Varieties
There are far too many African violet varieties to try to list them all, with more being developed and named each year. Let’s take a look at some beautiful and unique varieties of African violets. All of these plants are in the family Gesneriaceae and the genus Saintpaulia. It’s fun to add different varieties of African violets to your collection.
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Most African plant lovers begin by purchasing a few locally available plants before moving to ordering African violets online. In fact, it’s easy to keep adding more African violets to your collection as you discover more and more beautiful varieties. Here are some examples of different African Violet cultivars:
| Variety Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Aroma of Summer | Has a distinct, pleasant scent. |
| RD’s Gleam | For a stand-out pink blossom. |
| Persian Prince | Features lovely medium-blue blooms, but its foliage is what really stands out. |
| Champagne Pink | Has light pink double flowers. Leaves are highly variegated with plenty of white and light green. |
| Mac’s Jubilant Jamboree | Blooms with full white flowers that have purple veining and brushstrokes. The leaves are heart-shaped and variegated with pinkish-cream contrasting with medium green. |
| Crimson Ice | It looks as though someone took a relatively large ruffled white flower and dipped the parts of some of the petals in bright fuchsia paint. |
| Peacock | This showy variety has star-shaped flowers. This means the five petals are equal-sized and evenly spaced. The flowers are a deep royal purple in color and quite large in comparison to the miniature leaves. |
| Zephyr | Medium green leaves are slightly ruffled around the edges and form a standard-size rosette. Flowers are large and star-shaped with highly ruffled petal edges. |
| EverLove | It has dazzling dark pink flowers with pale pinkish-white ruffled edges. Leaves are deep green with very wavy edges. |
| P’ow Wow | The flowers are deep burgundy with large, showy, semi-double petals. |
As the name suggests, Aroma of Summer has a distinct, pleasant scent. This beautiful variety has an abundance of blooms that are mostly fuchsia with bits of white around the edges of the petals. As this name suggests, this beautiful standard variety has white blooms with large patches of crimson. This African violet has gorgeous ruffled blooms. This stunning specimen has yellow centers that contrast with its soft-pink flowers tinted with bits of purple.
If you’re looking for a bold African violet, this is your variety. The blooms are a bright pink color with light-green ruffled edges. This unique African violet variety has purple blooms that are round, almost resembling a ball, and the edges of the ruffled petals are a little darker than the center. This standard variety has stunning white blooms with frills around the edges that give the flowers a lace-like appearance. The leaves are dark green in the center, but the pigment fades to beige towards the leaves’ edges. A beautiful trailing African violet, this variety is semi-miniature. This showy miniature variety has ruffled flowers that are mostly purple. As you look closer, you’ll notice swatches of pink mixed with the purple.
It’s no surprise that this miniature African violet variety is a favorite. Persian Prince features lovely medium-blue blooms, but its foliage is what really stands out. For a stand-out pink blossom, try RD’s Gleam. This variety blooms with a classic violet color, and the white edges of the large, puffy blooms provide a nice contrast. As you can probably guess, this lovely variety has delicate pink flowers with petals that are ruffled around the edges. This variety has small blooms, but the impact makes up for the size.
This beauty has flowers with darker-pink tints that are almost solid around the edges but fade into a lighter pink toward the center of the bloom. An eye-catching specimen, this variety has classic purple petals with white ruffled edges. The flowers are large, which would be eye-catching enough by itself, but the leaves are also variaged. This showstopper is a standard variety featuring large pink flowers with wavy red edges. The African violet produces an abundance of blooms with medium-green foliage. This semi-miniature variety has small white flowers with rose-pink edges on its petals. A lovely miniature variety, this African violet has an abundance of pink frilly blooms.
This unique variety produces a rosette of somewhat heart-shaped dark green leaves. The leaves have a quilted texture which gives them a nicely patterned look. Flowers are single bloom and pale purple. Here’s a charming vareiety. ‘Champagne Pink’ has light pink double flowers. Leaves are highly variegated with plenty of white and light green. This stunning little plant will wow you with its super-showy bright blooms topping a deep green rosette. ‘Cherry Princess’ flowers are deep fuchsia in color with white edging, or you may prefer to think of them as white flowers with broad fuchsia stripes on each petal. ‘Crimson Ice’ has uniquely colored flowers.
This is an elegant plant that can grow quite large indoors. ‘Devotion’ sports an abundance of deep purple single blooms that look charming amidst deep green and white variegated leaves. ‘Diamond Tiffany’ is a head-turner. Slightly ruffled deep green leaves grow in a low rosette. At the center, oversized semi-double flowers fill the space. The flower petals are densely ruffled and white, with a pale green edging along some of the petals. ‘EverGrace’ is a large standard-size plant that grows a broad rosette of solid green ruffled leaves. The flowers are single blooms with ruffled edges. The flower color is light purple with pale greenish-white edges.
‘EverLove’ is hard to miss! It has dazzling dark pink flowers with pale pinkish-white ruffled edges. Leaves are deep green with very wavy edges. ‘First Kiss Blush’ really does look like it’s blushing. It produces single flowers, and the flower color is a rich medium pink with a smattering of purple freckles across the petals, referred to as a fantasy-type pattern. ‘Harlequin’ is a brightly dazzling variety. The flowers are large and primarily white, with a healthy dose of pink around the edges. Some flowers are entirely washed with pink, adding some interesting variety to the blooms.
‘High School Sweetheart’ has deep dark pink semi-double flowers. The flower petals are ruffled with pale greenish-white edges. Leaves are also lightly ruffled and uniformly dark green. ‘Irish Flirt’ has large, showy flowers that practically cover the entire top of the plant in full bloom. The flowers are double or semi-double, with large petals ruffled around the edges. Flowers are white, bordering on pale green, with most flowers having various patterns of both white and green coloration. Leaves are compact, solid dark green, and lightly ruffled around the edges. ‘Julia’ is hard to miss.
This is a standard-size rosette with amazingly large flowers for its size! The flowers are big and bright with double-ruffled blooms. The flower color is light pink with a complimentary light purple border along the ruffled edge. With frosty white petals and a blue eye, ‘Little Intermezzo’ is sure to please! Miniature in size, they only grow to be about 2-4 inches. This is a very new variety, as they were hybridized and made available in 2020 by Optimara African Violets. The dark green leaves are plain and pointed.
‘Little Maya’ is a miniature plant, staying small and compact in size but big in brightness. The deep red flowers stand out against solid green heart-shaped leaves. ‘Little Ruby’ is a sparkling little jewel of a plant. This tiny plant has deep green heart-shaped leaves and grows in a nice compact rosette. The flowers are deep red and have a semi-double form. Almost anyone would have room for this little violet in their collection. ‘Lonestar Twilight’ is a really beautiful variety. Leaves are deep green and heart-shaped with a fine variegated white edge. The leaves form a neat, standard-size rosette. Flowers are single with ruffled edges.
‘Mac’s Jubilant Jamboree’ blooms with full white flowers that have purple veining and brushstrokes. The leaves are heart-shaped and variegated with pinkish-cream contrasting with medium green. This trailing semi-miniature plant blooms flowers that are only a little bigger than an inch in diameter. When the flowers first open, the fringe has a green hue to it. The flowers of ‘Music Box Dancer’ are pink with faded white borders. They have semi-double to double blooms that form a star shape. The foliage is quilted in texture and has a lovely medium green color.
‘Myakka Trail’ is a nice little trailing variety. Leaves are uniformly dark green. Every single rosette will eventually grow into a cluster of compact plants that cascade over the edges of the pot. ‘Forever Pink’ is a variety that has semi-double blooming flowers that are pink with green edges. They are also ruffled and star-shaped. The leaves are quilted in texture with slightly scalloped edges. This deep purple variety is sure to add drama to any home. The frilled edges of the petals are lovely and add a delicate touch to the plant. The leaves are round with slightly serrated edges.
This showy variety is called ‘Peacock,’ and it has star-shaped flowers. This means the five petals are equal-sized and evenly spaced. The flowers are a deep royal purple in color and quite large in comparison to the miniature leaves. ‘P’ow Wow’ is a dazzling plant with bold colors and contrasts. The flowers are deep burgundy with large, showy, semi-double petals. Delicate and lovely, ‘Quilting Bee’ has a lot going on in a single plant.
The leaves are dark green and quilted, as well as being ruffled around the edges, displaying a great amount of texture within the leaves alone. Then the plant blooms, it’s like looking at something from grandma’s house! The flowers are heavily ruffled in shades of antique pink, lilac purple, and even hints of pale green. The slightly ruffled, star-shaped blooms of ‘Radiant Glow’ are very appealing. Flower colors include shades of pink and light purple petals with white edges. These multi-hued flowers are unique in appearance.
‘Ramblin’ Firedance’ is well-named. This is a trailing variety, and the plant cluster will eventually drape gracefully over the edges of the pot. Pure white double flowers bloom profusely across the top of the entire mass of ‘Rambling Moonbeam’. This miniature trailing violet has uniformly heart-shaped green leaves. ‘Silver Romance’ looks like a charming old-style antique variety. The flowers are soft dusky pink with white and pale greenish highlights. The flowers themselves are rather large and intensely double-petaled, making them look full. Leaves are large and quilted with slightly ruffled edges.
This variety has large flowers that bloom profusely around the center of the plant. The leaves of ‘Summer Twilight’ are a rich green color edged with greenish-white speckles. Leaves are large and lightly ruffled, giving a very attractive appearance. The flowers are quite eye-catching. This violet produces an abundance of purple semi-double blooms with bold white edges and slightly ruffled petals. The variety called ‘Zephyr’ is a plant that’s hard to ignore. Medium green leaves are slightly ruffled around the edges and form a standard-size rosette. Flowers are large and star-shaped with highly ruffled petal edges.
Anyone who loves African violets will have plenty of choices of beautiful plants available. There are many thousands of cultivars ranging from micro-miniature to large sizes, rosette and trailing growth habits, and countless combinations of leaf and flower styles and colors. Fortunately for the African violet enthusiast, these plants all require the same basic care and growing conditions.
Caring for Your African Violets
African Violets grow best at room temperature. The best potting soil for African Violets contains little or no dirt at all, specialty blends are very light and porous. The pH should be between 5.8 and 6.2. Groom as needed by removing wilted or dead outer leaves and any spent flowers. You will get more blooms if you remove sucker plants that split from the main crown.
African Violets have a bit of a reputation for being finicky, but honestly, it’s usually just about getting a few key things right. Once you dial in their needs, they are incredibly rewarding! Light is probably the most important factor for good blooming. African Violets need bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is often ideal, as it provides gentle morning sun. A north-facing window can also work, though it might be a bit dimmer. If you only have south or west-facing windows, move the plant back a bit so it doesn’t get scorched by direct, intense afternoon sun. If your plant isn’t blooming, more light is usually the answer (but still indirect!). They also do wonderfully under fluorescent or LED grow lights for about 12-14 hours a day.
Watering is where many people go wrong! African Violets prefer consistent moisture but hate getting their leaves wet, especially with cold water, as it can cause spotting. The best method is bottom Watering. Place the pot in a saucer of water (room temperature!) and let it soak up water from the bottom for 15-20 minutes, or until the top of the soil feels damp. Then, remove the plant from the saucer and let any excess water drain away completely. Don’t let them sit in standing water for extended periods. Only water when the top of the soil feels slightly dry to the touch. It’s better to slightly underwater than overwater. Always use lukewarm or room-temperature water. Cold water can shock the plant and damage the roots.
Use a specialized African Violet potting mix. These mixes are typically light, airy, and well-draining, which is exactly what their delicate root systems need. Don’t use heavy garden soil! African Violets love humidity, which is good news. If your home is very dry, especially in winter with heating/AC, you can place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (make sure the pot isn’t sitting in the water). They prefer average room temperatures, between 65-75°F. Avoid sudden temperature fluctuations or cold drafts.
To encourage those continuous blooms, fertilize regularly with a fertilizer specifically formulated for African Violets. These are typically lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. Use it diluted to half strength with every watering, or full strength every other watering, following the product instructions. African Violets bloom best when they are slightly pot-bound. Choose a pot that’s about 1/3 the diameter of the plant’s foliage. For example, a 9-inch wide plant would do well in a 3-inch pot. Repot every 6-12 months into fresh African Violet mix, even if you put it back in the same size pot. Remove any spent flowers and yellowing or damaged leaves.
African Violets are truly a rewarding addition to any indoor space, bringing continuous color and beauty with just a little thoughtful care. Don’t be intimidated by their delicate appearance - they’re tougher than you think!
African Violet Care
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned grower, African Violet Resource Center has everything you need to help your plant grow vibrant and strong.
