Plants
African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha · Gesneriaceae
The African violet is a classic currently making its comeback: velvety leaf rosettes topped with clouds of small flowers in violet, blue, pink or white — almost all year round with good care. Despite its name it is not related to true violets. Follow two or three ground rules, above all watering from below, and this compact perpetual bloomer will give you pleasure for years.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Saintpaulia ionantha
The range of cultivars is enormous: single and double flowers, ruffled edges, bicoloured picotee patterns and even mini varieties for the narrow windowsill. Collectors trade leaf cuttings like stamps — a whole new plant can be raised from a single healthy leaf.
The location determines how freely it flowers. Ideal is a bright east or north window without direct midday sun, which quickly scorches the velvety foliage. If the violet stands too dark it will grow handsome leaves but hardly any flowers.
The most important care rule: never water over the leaves. Water on the hairy foliage causes ugly spots and encourages rot in the heart of the rosette. We always water African violets from below via the saucer — and pour off the excess after twenty minutes.
Soft, room-temperature water suits the plant; cold water straight from the tap is answered with pale leaf blotches. The root ball should stay evenly, lightly moist without ever being properly wet; waterlogging is the most common cause of death.
We regularly twist out spent flower stems and yellowed outer leaves with a gentle tug. That keeps the rosette clean and encourages the plant to push new growth. Repot into fresh, loose compost every one to two years — the pot can stay small, as a snug root run promotes flowering.
For pet households the African violet is an excellent choice: it is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. On the windowsill it pairs prettily with other collectables from the same family, such as Cape primrose and gloxinia.
Is African Violet toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
The African violet is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children, making it one of the most recommendable flowering houseplants for pet households.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Choose a bright east or north window without direct midday sun.
- 02Always water from below — water on the velvety leaves causes spots and rot.
- 03Use room-temperature, ideally soft water.
- 04Keep the root ball evenly, lightly moist; strictly avoid waterlogging.
- 05Feed lightly with flowering-plant fertiliser every two weeks from spring to autumn.
- 06Regularly twist out spent blooms and yellowed outer leaves.
Frequently asked
- Why is my African violet not flowering?
- Usually it lacks light. In a dark spot the plant only produces leaves. A bright window without midday sun, regular light feeding and a fairly snug pot bring the flowers back. An oversized pot also slows things down: the violet fills it with roots before it starts blooming.
- Is the African violet toxic to cats?
- No, Saintpaulia is considered completely non-toxic to cats, dogs and people. It is one of the best flowering houseplants for households with pets and small children.
- Where do the spots on the leaves come from?
- Pale blotches are almost always caused by cold water or by droplets on the velvety foliage acting like little magnifying glasses in the sun. Water from below with room-temperature water; spotted leaves will not recover, but new ones grow in flawless.
- How do I propagate an African violet?
- By leaf cuttings: detach a healthy leaf with two to three centimetres of stalk and insert it at an angle into moist seedling compost, or stand it in a glass of water. After a few weeks plantlets appear at the base and can be potted up once they reach about five centimetres.