Common Plants African Violet (Saintpaulia): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert by Elyssa Goins 8 months ago by Elyssa Goins Elyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four. She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants. For the past twenty years, she's been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you. Published: August 3, 2023Last Updated on December 8, 2023 This article was fact checked. Helpful: 100% Share 0FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail 79 Table of Contents Toggle DescriptionFactsAfrican Violet Plant Care The African violet is one of the most popular flowering house plants from the saintpaulia genus. The genus has about 20 species and thousands of varieties. These have become easier for the average home grower to produce perfect blooms, although they need to be provided with some special care and attention. View on Amazon Description Varieties and types: Saintpaulia is a genus comprising approximately 20 species and subspecies, and many varieties. There are a fair few types including standard, trailers, miniatures, and chimeras (a basic way to put them into a category). Various species include different sizes, flower colors, and foliage types. A grower needs to understand which type they have if they plan to propagate them – the procedure is different (for the Chimera). There are actually thousands of hybrids with various flower colors/forms and leaf types available. Basic explanation of types and sizes. Standard: The standard type usually grows to around 8in – 16in diameter or possibly more, displaying most colors/types that African violets can bloom. Miniature: The miniature is said to grow from approx 3in – 6in diameter “and they get smaller” with the micro-mini which is less than 3 inches. There is also the semi-miniature AV that grows from approx 6in – 8in (diameter). Large: Larger-sized plants could be judged as above 16in (diameter). Trailing: Trailing AV plants are grown as trailers – whichever size it is. These are multi-crowned hybrids that grow well in hanging baskets or fairly shallow pots. Chimera A.violets: Chimera is a strain of A.violets that produce distinct striped petals that must be propagated from suckers, rather than leaf cuttings. Propagating from cuttings is not likely to produce the same plant that cuttings are taken from. This is because the plant cells are genetically different, which explains why they’re propagated with suckers. Petals and leaves: There is a huge amount of various color combinations for petals, from pinks (Rococo pink) to the multi-colored double-flowered Candy dandy (yep..some peculiar names indeed). The petals also have different shapes, edges, and amounts – and can be double-flowered. There are also various leaf varieties that include names such as boy, girl, variegated (green and white), spoon, holly, serrated, and lance-shaped. Blooming: Experts can keep these blooming for around 10 months or more a year – with the use of artificial lighting, correct temperatures, and conditions. Basically, they can flower all year round, depending on how well they are cared for. You can expect the flowers to bloom for a few days – and up to a few weeks, although the length of time they flower depends very much on their environment/conditions. Facts Origin:Eastern Africa.Names:African violet (common). Saintpaulia (botanical/scientific) .Max Growth (approx):Diameter (micro – 3in) – (large – 16in).Poisonous for pets:Non toxic dogs and cats. African Violet Plant Care Temperature:Room temperatures of around 65°f / 16°c — 75°f / 24°c are ideal. Try not to allow temperatures to decrease lower than 60°f / 15.5°c and it’s advised to avoid cold drafts or abrupt temperature changes.Light:The African violet thrives in bright light, although too much direct sunlight will cause leaf problems (edges turn yellow, patches, or develop holes). I have grown mine, at best – close to east facing windows, but many other people grow them close to the south facing side. Growers will use artificial lighting to encourage blooms during winter time, using fluorescent lighting tubes. However, many of us do not want to use lighting and have the expense when we are happy enough to see the spring and summer blooms.Watering:Re-pot when needed (room temperature not below 70°F./21°C). I would always do this at least once every year, or even twice a year. There is no need to increase the pot size unless it becomes pot bound or has grown larger.Soil:A fast draining soil mix is best to use. I actually use the African V soil mix with 1 part vermiculite because it’s cheap enough and easy to find in many stores.Fertilizer:Fertilize every couple of weeks with a balanced fertilizer that’s urea-free. Or even better, a solution specifically for A.violets.Re-Potting:It’s wise to remove dying leaves, flowers and stems as soon as possible to encourage new growth. Remove new side shoots (suckers) as soon as they begin to grow as well. Removing crowns is to be done very carefully.Air Humidity:These need high humidity and plenty of gentle misting (with lukewarm water, not in direct sunlight and only the leaves) for healthy growth and to flower well. You can use a humidity tray to support the correct levels that need to have small pebbles or a layer of gravel at the bottom with water added below the surface.Propagation:A.voilets are propagated by leaf cuttings (Chimera AVs only by suckers), placed into a potting mix.Grooming and pruning:It’s wise to remove dying leaves, flowers and the stems as soon as possible to encourage new growth. Remove new side shoots (suckers) as soon as they begin to grow as well. Removing crowns is to be done very carefully. View on Amazon See Repotting African Violets Here » Was this helpful? Submit Cancel Thanks for your feedback! Elyssa GoinsElyssa Goins is an experienced house plant hobbyist who maintains over a hundred plants. She is a gardener, beekeeper, and a proud mother of four. She is a member of the American Horticultural Society, has a published study in the National Social Science Association, and loves to talk about her love of plants. For the past twenty years, she’s been all about growing and caring for various fruits, veggies, herbs, livestock, kids, and houseplants. Managing a big garden to feed four growing kids and raising dairy goats has taught her so much about being an excellent plant parent and now is her time to share with you. Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail previous post Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert next post Aluminum Plant (Pilea Cadierei ): Plant Care and Growing Guide – House Plants Expert 0 0 votes Article Rating Subscribe Login Notify of new follow-up comments new replies to my comments Label {} [+] Name* Email* Website Δ Label {} [+] Name* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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