African violet care
Streptocarpus ionanthus
Also called Saintpaulia and Usambara violet. Family Gesneriaceae.
In short
African violet (Streptocarpus ionanthus, long known as Saintpaulia) is a small rosette of velvety leaves from the mountains of Tanzania that flowers almost continuously in good conditions. Give it bright indirect light, such as a north or east window, and water from below about every 5 to 7 days once the surface feels dry, keeping the leaves dry. Keep it at 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F), as it flowers poorly below 16°C (61°F). It is safe around cats and dogs.
Updated
African violet at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 5 to 7 days
- Temperature
- 18 to 24°C64 to 75°F
- Humidity
- Moderate to high, but keep the leaves dry
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Pets
- Safe for cats and dogs
How often should you water an African violet?
Usually every 5 to 7 days, once the surface feels dry, from below by standing the pot in tepid water for twenty minutes.
Warm room, bright indirect light, ordinary pot: usually every 5 to 7 days, once the surface feels dry. Water from below by standing the pot in tepid water for twenty minutes, then draining it: water sitting on the velvety leaves causes pale ring-shaped blotches, and cold water marks them badly. Never let it stand in the saucer afterwards.
How much light does an African violet need?
Bright indirect light, such as a north or east window, out of direct sun.
Bright indirect light: a north or east window. Too little and it makes leaves but no flowers; direct sun scorches the soft foliage.
How to feed an African violet
A feed made for African violets, at quarter to half strength, every 2 to 4 weeks while it is flowering.
A feed formulated for African violets, at quarter to half strength, every 2 to 4 weeks while it is flowering.
When to repot an African violet
Every year into fresh compost, in a shallow pot only slightly wider than the rosette.
Every year into fresh compost, in a shallow pot only slightly wider than the rosette. It flowers best snug.
How to prune an African violet
Pinch off spent flowers and damaged leaves at the base to keep it blooming.
Pinch off spent flowers and any damaged leaves at the base to keep it blooming.
What temperature and humidity does an African violet like?
18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F); it flowers poorly below 16°C (61°F).
18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F). It flowers poorly below 16°C (61°F). Humidity: Moderate to high, but keep the leaves dry.
Is an African violet toxic to cats and dogs?
No, it is non-toxic and safe around cats and dogs.
Safe around cats and dogs.
How big does an African violet get?
A low rosette 10 to 20cm (4 to 8 inches) across.
A low rosette of thick, velvety leaves, 10 to 20cm (4 to 8 inches) across, producing clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers almost continuously in good conditions. Small, long-lived, and easy to propagate from a single leaf.
Where does the African violet come from?
The Usambara and Uluguru mountains of Tanzania, where the wild plant is now endangered.
Shaded, humid rock faces and forest floor in cloud forest, in a narrow range that is now threatened. The wild plant is endangered even as the cultivated one sits on windowsills worldwide.
What's wrong with my African violet?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pale ring-shaped blotches on the leaves | Water on the leaves, especially cold water | Water from below with tepid water and keep the leaves dry. |
| Plenty of leaves but no flowers | Too little light, or a room below 16°C (61°F) | Move it to bright indirect light, such as a north or east window, and keep it at 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F). |
| Scorched patches on the soft leaves | Direct sun | Move it out of direct sun into bright indirect light. |
| Limp leaves and a soggy base | Standing in water after watering | Drain the pot after its twenty minutes and never leave it standing in the saucer. |
Questions about the African violet
Why is my African violet not flowering?
Usually too little light: it makes leaves but no flowers. Move it to bright indirect light, keep it above 16°C (61°F), and keep it snug in a small pot.
Can I water an African violet from the top?
Better not. Water on the velvety leaves causes pale ring-shaped blotches, and cold water marks them badly. Water from below, then drain it.
How do I propagate an African violet?
From a single leaf. Push the stalk of a healthy leaf into moist compost and small plants form at its base in time.
Is an African violet a real violet?
No. It belongs to the Gesneriaceae family, not the violet family.
Christi Miltz, CC0
Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0
zebedeugalinha, CC BY 4.0