African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are among the most popular flowering houseplants in the world, with more than 20,000 varieties available today. This guide to the African violet covers its history, the many leaf and flower types, sizes and varieties, and how to grow African violets so they keep blooming.
The African Violet Saintpaulia ionantha was originally discovered in 1892 by Walter von Saint-Paul-Illaire in the wooded Usambara mountains near the border of Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. In the fall of 1892, the plant was sent to the Herrenhausen Greenhouse in Hanover, Germany. Master Gardener and Botanist Hermann Wedland recorded the plant for the first time as a member of the Gesneriad family.
The African Violet was exhibited for the first time in 1893 and caught the attention of the public. The first commercial hybrids debuted in 1927. Nearly 100 years have passed with many innovations that have made the African Violet one of the most popular house plants in the world.
One of the most successful breeders is the Holtkamp family in Germany who has been breeding African Violets since 1935. In addition to introducing many colors and forms, they also developed essential characteristics. For example, they developed the non-dropping flower variety “Elfriede,” the semper florens (always flowering) types, then the multi-fluorescent varieties and now filantherless (flowers without the filament and anther) characteristics, all of which have made African Violets very interesting and exciting. Many of these amazing characteristics can be found in most of the plants available today.
Today’s African Violets come in what appears to be limitless colors, shapes, sizes, and forms. Enthusiastic breeders all over the world have brought out the best the Gesneriad Saintpaulia ionantha has to offer. Its ease for mutations, playful flower shapes and colors, and leaf variations make it especially fun to collect.
Look for these many different types of African Violet leaf shapes: Plain, Ovate, Round, Pointed, Heart Shaped, Girl/Lobed, Serrated, Scalloped, Wavy, and Ruffled.
African Violet leaves range in color from light green to deep red and can be variegated, striped, blotched, speckled, or solid!
African Violets also come in many different flower types, for example: Pansy single, Semi-double, Double, Double+, Star single, Double Star, Bell, and Wasp.
The actual flower coloration or pattern can be just as varied: Two-tone, Bi-color, Dark center, White center, Thumbprint, Chimera, Colored edge, Speckled edge, Geneva edge, and Raised edge.
African Violet Common Sizes include 6″ large, 4″ standard, 3″ semi-mini, 2″ miniature
The first commercial hybrids were introduced in 1927, all of which had blue flowers. It was from the vintage variety “Blue Boy” that the first double was developed in 1939. In 1942 the American company Brockner developed the first pink violet on the market, that same year the first girl-leaf (having lobes) variety was derived from “Blue Boy” at Ulery Greenhouses in Springfield OH. The first white violet was bred soon after by Peter Ruggeri, named simply “White Lady”. Hermann Holtkamp, Sr. in Germany introduced the “Biedermeier” style: a single crown, clustered bouquet plant rather than multiples that were common up until that point.
Today, commercial African Violets are grown almost exclusively in this style. Today’s continuing innovations help make these plants more resistant to pest and fungal issues and longer lasting. This also allows it to be grown more environmentally sustainable. All these innovations have made today’s African Violets very easy to grow and care for and a truly rewarding experience for both casual home gardeners and passionate collectors.
Water about once a week, or when the top of the soil starts to feel dry. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and let it get about 80% dry now and then. Bottom watering works best: set the pot in a 1-inch tray of room-temperature water for 30 minutes, then drain any excess. Never let the pot sit in water, which can cause root rot.
The usual causes are too little light, low humidity (African violets need 40% to 60% humidity to thrive and bloom), a pot that’s too big, or extra crowns (suckers) competing with the main plant. Move it to a brighter spot with filtered light, remove suckers, keep watering and humidity consistent, and add a non-urea African violet fertilizer.
African violets need 14 to 16 hours of filtered light and 8 to 10 hours of darkness each day to flower. Keep them out of full sun. LED and fluorescent grow lights work well, especially in winter or if your plant stretches or stops blooming.
Room-temperature distilled water or rainwater. Avoid softened or chlorinated water, and avoid cold water, which can leave spots if it splashes on the leaves.
Cold water left on the leaves can cause spotting. Water from below with room-temperature water, and keep leaves dry and away from cold windows and drafts.
Use a light, porous specialty African violet mix with little or no dirt. It keeps soil moist without getting soggy and won’t crush the delicate roots. The ideal pH is 5.8 to 6.2.
A 4- to 6-inch pot. African violets bloom best when slightly rootbound, so don’t over-pot them. Grow one plant per pot and repot in fresh soil once a year.
Keep them above 55°F (13°C), don’t let the leaves touch cold windows, avoid drafts, and use a humidifier, since indoor heating dries the air. Check soil moisture more often during winter.
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to the Usambara Mountains near the border of Kenya and Tanzania. They were discovered in 1892, and the first commercial hybrids came out in 1927.
The National Garden Bureau recognizes and thanks our human expert NGB member Holtkamp Greenhouses, Inc. dba Optimara, as the author and contributor to this fact sheet.
This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau. There are no limitations on the use. Please credit National Garden Bureau, and link to this page, when using all or parts of this article or referencing the Year of the program.
Each state in the U.S. has its own list of invasive species. Before trying a new plant in your garden, refer to the USDA’s National Invasive Species Information website or check with local agencies such as an Extension specialist.
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