Photo: African violet — Gianni Del Bufalo · CC BY 4.0. Photo resized from the original.
Plant guide
African violet
Saintpaulia
Light
Bright indirect light, out of direct summer sun — the leaves burn. If it won’t flower, it needs more light.
Watering
Water from below with warm water: stand the pot in a tray for half an hour. Drops and cold water leave spots on the leaves. Let the surface dry and keep water out of the centre.
Air
Warm, not below 16 °C at night, away from cold glass and draughts. It dislikes dry air — a tray of damp gravel helps.
Toxic?
Cats: Not toxic · Dogs: Not toxic — More about pets
People: Not listed as poisonous.
This is normal
- Old lower leaves and spent flowers wither — just remove them.
- Botanists recently moved the African violet into the genus Streptocarpus — it's the same plant.
Watch out for
Root rotGrey mouldMealybugThrips
How often for your pot?Days and millilitres for your pot — counted like in the app.
Count it →Sources: RHS · Wisconsin Horticulture · NC State Extension · ASPCA. Every line is checked against two of them.