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 basal, ovate, most blades 7-9cm long x 4-7cm wide, margin crenate, base cordate, fuzzy, fleshy, range in colour from mid-green to purple (especially the lower surfaces), petioles 4-7cm long; florets 2-3cm 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 - tropical (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:
Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Orbicular
Apices:
Obtuse
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Ciliate, 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:
Aphids, Leaf scorch, Mealybugs, Mites, Mold, Thrips (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
