PlantFiles: African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha

This has been such an easy and rewarding plant to grow. Very easy to propagate and I have started several plants from my original plant to give as gifts. Can be started in water, or by clipping a stem, wetting it and adding a little root compound, and potting. Pretty soon, baby leaves start to appear. I always water from the bottom and keep my leaves dry. For new plants, I mound the dirt in the middle of the pot to plant the first stem and water around it to get the plant started.

I personally like the white and pink flowers best because they look glittery if you look at the up close. The leaves are wonderful to feel but hate to be watered so water the saucer and let the roots soak it up.

Plant is also easy to propegate. Simley take off one of the leaves at the base and place it in a little water. Be sure only the stem of the leaf is in the water, not the broad part. It will soon enough sprout roots followed by baby leaves surrounding the roots. Once this happens its time to pot your new baby! The african violet mix they sell at home depot is good for potting. Bury the roots and leave the leaves out. Once the plant grows big enough you can clip of the mama leaf and re-clone it if you wish!

Happy planting!

Saintpaulia ionantha is a natural species Saintpaulia. Seed sown from this species will produce true as this is not a hybrid.

The official description from the African Violet Society database is as follows:

"S. ionantha (S 5) 1893 (H. Wendland) Single blue-violet, 4-5 per peduncle, very floriferous. Dark green, pointed, heart-shaped, tends to spoon, thick, quilted, glossy, slightly serrated, long red-brown petiole/red back. Large. Saintpaulia species"

Loves Humidity. Don't get the leaves wet, then put them back into the sun, you will burn them. The burn mark will almost look as if a part of the plant has melted.