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African violet, (genus Saintpaulia), genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae native to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa. African violets are common houseplants, especially Saintpaulia ionantha, and can thrive in low light conditions and bloom throughout the year.
Are African violets originally from Africa?
Bright indirect light is a must. African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to rainforests in the mountains of eastern African countries like Tanzania. They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation. In their native environments, direct light never touches their leaves.
Where do African violets live in the wild?
There they were, finally: wild African violets, lovely examples of the ancestors of one of the world’s most popular houseplants. They grow naturally only in the coastal mountains and forests of East Africa, and I’d come a long way to see them.
What is so special about African violets?
African violets are perhaps the most popular flowering houseplants grown in the world today. There are many reasons for this: The plants generally flower the year round, giving an almost continuous display of blooms. They require the same temperatures humans find comfortable, making them easy to raise in our homes.
Where do African violets grow best?
African violets are strictly indoor plants in North America, largely because their leaves need to stay dry. Grow plants in bright, indirect light for the best color and blooms. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location.
Why are African violets called that?
Wild species can have violet, purple, pale blue, or white flowers. The plants get their common name “African violet” from their superficial resemblance to true violets (Viola, family Violaceae).
Are gloxinia and African violets related?
These showy flowering houseplants are in the gesneriad family, just like African violets, and while they’re blooming, you can care for them the same way.
Are African violets poisonous?
By the way, African violets are non-toxic to curious cats, dogs, and horses, according to the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page. This information should offer some comfort to parents of curious cats that enjoy the taste of this lovely houseplant.
How long does an African violet plant live?
When to Repot Your African Violets Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years,” says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
Can African violets grow outside?
No, not at all. African violets are tropical plants from East Africa. That’s why they make good indoor plants. They would never survive outdoors in most U.S. climates as a normal violet would.
What is the rarest African violet?
The rarest African Violet species is the Streptocarpus afroviola (Saintpaulia pusilla) that is native to Tanzania. This African Violet was first described in 1900 by Adolf Engler.
Do African violets smell good?
One thing violets are known most for is the fact that they have a lovely scent that seems to go away after just one sniff. That’s because the flowers contain a chemical called ionine which desensitizes the nose and sense of smell temporarily.
How big can an African violet get?
African violets are typically classified by size, based on how wide they grow: Miniature: less than 8 inches across. Standard: 8–16 inches across. Large: more than 16 inches across.
Do African violets need a lot of sun?
African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
Are African violets in season?
A: African violets are capable of blooming year-round in the home, but they won’t bloom reliably if one or more of their basic needs are not being met. The most likely reason African violets stop blooming is because they’re in too little light.
Can African violets grow under LED lights?
A full spectrum LED light strip can also work for African Violet plants, especially those with a higher ratio of red/blue wavelengths mixed in with green and yellow wavelengths. These strips can provide a balanced mixture of lights.
Are African violet a succulent?
African violets are native to high-elevation tropical rainforests in Tanzania. Other than the blooms, the most distinguishing characteristic of African violets is their fuzzy, succulent foliage. The fine hairs on the leaves are an adaptation to help the plant absorb water from the air.
Are there male and female African violets?
African Violets, or Saintpaulia inanth as they’re known in Latin, are one of the easiest house plants to grow and if kept correctly can flower for most of the year. They also have completely separate male and female plants.
Do African violets smell?
It’s true their flowers resemble, but only at a first glance, because even the flowers are different. Also, from their scent one can tell which is an African violet and which is a Parma violet because African violets are totally scentless.
What plants are related to African violets?
Gloxinia. Closely related to African violets, gloxinias (Sinningia speciosa) are tuberous plants with broad, downy medium green leaves. Popular in florist shops at Christmas, Easter and Mother’s Day, gloxinias in full bloom are spectacular.
Are gloxinia and Primrose related?
These tender plants are related to gloxinia (Sinningia) and African violet (Saintpaulia) and look something like a cross between the two. They have fleshy, sometimes velvety leaves, and their trumpet-shaped flowers appear over a long season; some kinds flower intermittently all year.
How do I save gloxinia?
Water gloxinias often enough to keep the soil moist. The leaves develop brown spots if they get wet, so apply the water directly to the soil under the leaves. If allowed to dry out, gloxinias go dormant. Use a high-phosphorus liquid plant food every two weeks on your flowering gloxinia houseplant.
Are violets poisonous to dogs?
With their fuzzy green leaves and stunning year-round flowers, African violets bloom in a range of lavenders, blues, pinks, reds, and white—depending on the variety. Both the plant and flowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, blooming plant.
What happens if a cat eats an African Violet?
While African violets are not toxic to cats, their fertilizer can be. Similar to the plant itself, fertilizer ingestion is generally a mild irritant. But, if ingested over a prolonged period of time, it can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues.
How often should an African Violet be watered?
An important point to remember when bottom watering African Violet plants is to top water at least once a month. This way you are flushing out any extra fertilizer salt build up and refreshing the soil/roots from the top too.
