Saintpaulia ionantha, more commonly known as the African violet, is a captivating houseplant prized for its lush, velvety leaves and vibrant, petite flowers that can bloom throughout the year. Its rosette form, combined with its adaptability to indoor conditions, has made it a beloved choice for plant enthusiasts and novices alike. Common Name: African violet Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Gesneriaceae Native Range: Tanzania Zone: 11 to 12 Height: 0.50 to 0.75 feet Spread: 0.50 to 0.75 feet Bloom Time: Flowers freely Bloom Description: Blue, pink, purple and white Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Maintenance: Medium Flower: Showy Leaf: Evergreen
Saintpaulia ionantha (African Violet) World of Flowering Plants
In 1892, Baron Walter von Saint Paul discovered the African violet, Saintpaulia ionantha, in the East African country of Tanzania. The genus, Saintpaulia, was derived from this explorer's name. The specific epithet, ionantha, refers to the violet color of the flowers. Common Name: African violet Botanical Name: Saintpaulia Ionantha Seasonality & Life Span: Can bloom 10-12 months a year, life span up to 50 years Flower Color: Most commonly purple, hybrids may be purple, blue, pink, or white How to Care for Saintpaulia Ionantha African Violet African violets are distinguished by a rosette of thick, fuzzy leaves and violet-like flowers that bloom just above the evergreen foliage. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Don't be put off by their reputation for difficulty: providing you follow a few simple rules, African violets should thrive indoors. BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Published: Tuesday, 29 June 2021 at 4:26 pm All you need to know about growing African violets, in this Grow Guide. African violets are compact, pretty house plants that produce clusters of jewel-like flowers on and off throughout the year. They have soft, velvety green leaves that are often burgundy on the undersides.
Saintpaulia ionantha subsp. grotei (African Violet) World of
African violets ( Saintpaulia ionantha) are low maintenance, easy to grow houseplants. They reliably bloom several times a year when cared for properly. Native to Eastern Africa, these popular houseplants are in the same family ( Gesneriaceae) as gloxinia and primrose. 'Lovestruck' has single lavender flowers with a violet ruffled edge The Saintpaulia houseplant is more commonly known as the African Violet because it originates from Africa and the flowers look like violets (although they're unrelated). This plant is a newish addition to our homes, only appearing in large numbers starting in America in the 1930's but has been loved ever since. Discover the beauty of African violets, also known as Saintpaulia ionantha, with this comprehensive guide. Learn about the ideal light conditions, temperature and humidity requirements, watering techniques, potting and soil recommendations, fertilization methods, common issues, and propagation techniques for these stunning houseplants. African violets can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings. Remove a healthy leaf with a stem of 1 to 2 inches long, cutting the stem at an angle. Fill a 4-inch pot with a moist, porous mix, such as vermiculite and/or perlite, or either one mixed with peat moss. Fully insert the stem and about ¼ inch of the leaf in it.
Potted African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) isolated on white
African violets like a north, northwest, or northeast-facing window. Place the plant a good three feet away from a south-facing window. Supplementing with fluorescent lights may be necessary if you cannot find the ideal lighting situation. As far as temperature, African violets thrive in the same range that we enjoy, between 60° and 80°F. African violets ( Saintpaulia ionantha) are not even closely related to violets, but they are from Africa. African violets are members of the gesneriad family and hail from the tropical rainforest region of east Africa near the border of Tanzania and Kenya.
African violet An evergreen, rosette-forming, frost-tender perennial to 10cm tall. The almost round, fleshy, hairy leaves up to 8cm long are green above and often reddish-green below and have long stalks. Two to eight violet-blue, tubular flowers up to 2.5cm across are held in loose clusters above the foliage all year-round Other common names Saintpaulia ionantha (African Violet) is a beautiful, low-maintenance houseplant popular among many pond plant keepers. This tropical perennial herb is part of the Gesneriaceae family, with a long history of being cultivated and bred for its diverse range of flower colors and patterns.
African Violet (saintpaulia Ionantha) Photograph by M F Merlet/science
Saintpaulia ionantha African Violet Saintpaulia is a member of the Gesneriaceae family and contains approx. 6 members, native to Africa (e. g. Kenya, Tanzania). Because of their similarity with the true Violets (Viola) they are commonly known as African Violets. Saintpaulia ionantha Care Indoors. African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnighly feeding during the growing season.
