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Streptocarpus is often confused with:
Episcia cupreata Episcia cupreata 'Silver Sheen'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Fuchsia x hybrida Fuchsia x hybrida
Streptocarpus ionanthus buds and flowers, Cabarrus County, NC
Platycerium bifurcatum Platycerium bifurcatum

African Violet Streptocarpus

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called African Violet:

Previously known as:

  • Saintpaulia
Phonetic Spelling
strep-toh-KAR-pus
Description

This popular house plant produces beautiful flowers atop delicate stalks in various colors.  The round leaves are fleshy with soft hairs.  It propagates easily through leaf cuttings.

Needs warm indoor temperatures, high to medium light intensity and high humidity.  African violets adjust well to the warm temperatures and dry air of homes. While they require good light, direct sunlight is not necessary. Windows facing north or east provide favorable light conditions and are preferable to those exposed to midday and afternoon sunshine during summer. The sunnier, warmer windows are better in the winter. The best temperatures for African violets are about 60° F at night and up to 80 to 85° F during the day.

The most common problem for African violets is over watering.  Use soil that allows water to run out freely. Water more frequently but use less water in each watering. Most violets are now grown in pasteurized soilless mixes.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#purple flowers#fleshy leaves#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Karen Rustad CC BY 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Laura Blanchard CC-BY-SA 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Maurizio CC BY-ND 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Konstantin Malancher CC BY 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Jean-Raphael Guillaumin CC-BY-SA 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Geek2Nurse CC BY-NC 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia Geek2Nurse CC BY-NC 2.0
Saintpaulia
Saintpaulia -Merce- CC-BY-SA 2.0
Saintpaulia propagation
Saintpaulia propagation SantrinaO CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#purple flowers#fleshy leaves#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Saintpaulia
    Family:
    Gesneriaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11b, 11a, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are borne in small panicles just above the foliage
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Velvety
    Leaf Shape:
    Peltate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil