African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Family: Gesneriaceae · Also called Saintpaulia, Usambara Violet, Petrocosmea ionantha, Saintpaulia ionantha
Powdery & Soft · Year-round bloomer
The African violet is the world's most beloved houseplant, compact rosettes of fuzzy leaves topped with clusters of velvet-textured flowers in purple, blue, pink, white, and bi-colors that bloom nearly year-round under normal indoor conditions. No other flowering houseplant combines such ease of care with such continuous bloom.
faithfulness, devotion, modesty
In the Victorian language of flowers, african violet means “Faithful devotion”. Discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire in Tanzania and sent to his father in Germany. Within 50 years they became the world's most popular houseplant. The African Violet Society of America (founded 1946) has over 10,000 members and registers thousands of cultivars. In their native habitat, they're endangered due to deforestation.
Did You Know?
Wild Saintpaulia species are critically endangered, several are believed extinct in the wild due to deforestation in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains. Meanwhile, there are over 16,000 registered cultivars. African violets bloom best when slightly pot-bound and can be propagated from a single leaf placed in water. They don't like cold water on their leaves, it causes brown spots.
Shaded rocky outcrops and cliff faces in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania
African Violet is native to Tanzania, Kenya. It naturally grows in shaded rocky outcrops and cliff faces in the usambara mountains of tanzania.
Scent Profile
“Barely scented, a faint, powdery sweetness at most. African violets are grown entirely for their compact form and continuous indoor flowering, not for fragrance.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameSaintpaulia ionantha
- FamilyGesneriaceae
- Native ToTanzania, Kenya
- Bloom SeasonYear-round
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire in Tanzania and sent to his father in Germany. Within 50 years they became the world's most popular houseplant. The African Violet Society of America (founded 1946) has over 10,000 members and registers thousands of cultivars. In their native habitat, they're endangered due to deforestation.