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Scientific Name:
Saintpaulia ionantha
Pronunciation:
saint-PAWL-ee-a eye-oh-NAN-tha
Common Name:
African violet
Family Name:
Gesneriaceae
Plant Type:
Flowering pot plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves fuzzy, fleshy, basal and range in colour from mid-green to purple (especially the lower surfaces); florets up to 3cm wide, bilaterally symmetrical, on several separate cymes, most cvs. blue, purple, or pink.

Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa (Tanzania)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade, Deep shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Indoor plant
Additional Info:

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Tomentose
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Crenate

Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Green, Blue, Violet, Pink
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Can flower any month

Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant,

Bark or Stem Colour:
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Optimal Temp.:
High
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Avoid direct sunlight and cold water on leaves. Fertilize moderately every 2-3 weeks. 18 - 24 °C. Deadhead.
Pest Susceptibility:
Leaf scorch, Mites, Thrips

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
  • HORT 1193/1293
Location(s):
  • (GNH)  GreeNHouse
Location Map