Saintpaulia
African violet
- Height × spread
- 0.1m – 0.2m × 0.15m – 0.3m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 20 species of African violet and these all originate in tropical parts of East Africa, some of them being epiphytic in character. There are a huge range of cultivars, numbering several thousand, and most of these have appealing names! They are often given casually as houseplants and some survive maltreatment. If treated properly they are high-value subjects since they tend to flower for much for the year. The flowers are in shades of purple and violet as well as pink and red and white, with a number of forms having bi-coloured blooms. They are sold in a graded range of sizes from micro-miniature to large. Despite coming from tropical areas they prefer cool rather than hot and sunny positions. Although happy in winter sunshine, bright indirect light is preferred at other seasons. They should not be allowed to dry out but can suffer root-rot if too moist. Specialist fertilisers can be bought that are adjusted to maximise their flowering potential.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Pink, Purple, Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.1m – 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.15m – 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 16C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with high potash feed twice
Use a houseplant fertiliser that is high in potassium several times while the plant is in flower.
Where fertiliser values are listed on a packet they are in order - nitrogen, phosphate, potassium with percentage values of each. For high potassium choose a fertiliser where potash is higher.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Summer
Summer · Indoors
Feed with liquid phosphate
Every fortnight apply a standard houseplant feed that is high in both potassium and phosphate.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
16C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 16 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.
Found in
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