African Violet
African Violet is an ornamental in the Gesneriaceae family. It grows best in part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 11-12.
Varieties
1 · sorted by days to maturity▸African Violet
PROPAGATION CATEGORY: Houseplant (leaf cuttings) (not in original seed catalog). Use: Compact, near-continuous bloomer. Note: Pet-safe, avoid wetting leaves.
African Violet (Streptocarpus ionanthus, formerly Saintpaulia) is a compact flowering houseplant that can bloom nearly year-round in modest light; pet-safe and easily propagated from a single leaf.
Growing notes: Botanical name: Streptocarpus ionanthus|Hardiness zones: 11-12|Propagation: leaf cutting|Light: Bright indirect light|Water: Medium|Mature size: 4-6 inches
Plan your African violet planting
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Start your free plan →African Violet care at a glance
Bright, indirect light — an east or north window is classic. Direct midday sun scorches the fuzzy leaves; too little light and blooming stops.
Water with room-temperature water when the top of the mix feels dry, from the base if possible — cold water sitting on the leaves causes permanent spotting.
Average room humidity is fine; very dry air shrinks the blooms. A pebble tray helps in heated rooms — avoid misting, which spots the foliage.
Keep above 60°F — cold damage starts below that.
A light, porous African-violet mix (or peat-perlite-vermiculite); heavy potting soil suffocates the fine roots.
A balanced fertilizer at quarter strength every 2–4 weeks while the plant is actively blooming.
In winter: Growth slows only slightly indoors in winter; keep the same check-first routine but expect a day or two longer between waterings.
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and people — one of the safest flowering houseplants for a home with pets.
Pet listing per the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database.
How to propagate African violet
Leaf cuttings
- Cut a healthy mid-crown leaf with about an inch of stem.
- Insert the stem at a 45° angle into moist, light potting mix.
- Cover loosely with a bag or dome to hold humidity and set in bright, indirect light.
- Plantlets appear at the base in 8–12 weeks; pot them up once they have a few leaves of their own.
Common African violet problems
Why won't my African violet bloom?
Likely cause: Not enough light is the usual reason — African violets need bright, indirect light for most of the day to keep flowering.
Fix: Move it closer to an east window (or under a grow light 10–12 in away), keep it slightly root-bound, and feed at quarter strength while it's in active growth.
Why are there spots on my African violet's leaves?
Likely cause: Cold water splashed on the foliage — the temperature shock kills leaf cells and leaves permanent tan rings.
Fix: Water from the base with room-temperature water and keep the leaves dry; spotted leaves won't recover, so remove the worst ones.
Why is the center of my African violet rotting?
Likely cause: Crown rot from water sitting in the growing point or from constantly soggy mix.
Fix: Let the surface dry between waterings, water from below, and repot into fresh, airy violet mix if the base has gone soft — advanced crown rot usually means starting over from a leaf cutting.
Care profile compiled from extension and horticultural society guidance and the ASPCA toxic-plants list. Conditions vary by home — treat ranges as starting points.
At a glance
Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting
No curated care & troubleshooting advice for African violet yet. Our extension-service library currently focuses on common edible crops; we're expanding it over time.