Plant of the Week: African Violet

 

African Violets are available in many colors

African Violets, Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia are native to Tanzania and parts of Kenya in southeastern tropical Africa. For many years, Saintpaulia, which is how I've always known this plant, showed in various studies to be within the genus Streptocarpus. 

Enough about all of that. 

Mini violets are very popular, here in 2" pots

African Violets are among the most commonly found houseplants. I can't help but think of my mom and grandmothers everywhere that grew this plant on a windowsill in their home. Clusters of purple, blue, pink and white blooms grew atop soft, velvety leaves of green. Most seem to grow in round 4" pots where I've seen them. A few bigger plants may thrive in 6" pots and miniature varieties reside in 2-3" planters. In the right conditions, African Violets bloom all year. 

Light is a top priority for these flowers; many hobbyists grow them under lights for that reason. Sixteen hours of bright light is ideal under grow lights. Keep them protected from direct sunlight as it will burn the soft leaves.  An east window may be enough to provide natural light. They like humidity as their native habitat is tropical.

African Violets require moist, well-drained soil. African Violet specialty soils and fertilizers are available in garden shops like ours. 

Maintain the plants by dead-heading old blooms and tired foliage. 

African Violets can be watered from above or below. Do not allow water to sit in a saucer or pot for too long; empty once the soil is moist to the touch. African Violet pots, self-watering through the porous inner pot, is an excellent way to take the guessing away. 

Look for African Violet pots in our greenhouse

Fertilize African violets monthly with a food made just for them. I like the liquid fertilizer that mixes easily with water. Don't have African Violet food? Use any bloom booster fertilizer. 

Like so many plants in the plant world that have made a comeback of sorts, I expect that African Violets are due another moment of time in the spotlight.