African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
houseplantA compact, flowering houseplant with fuzzy leaves and delicate blue, purple, pink, or white blooms produced nearly year-round with proper care. African violets are iconic indoor plants valued for their continuous flowers and compact habit. They require careful watering techniques to avoid leaf spotting.
Common Problems
Select the problem your African Violet is experiencing to get a treatment guide.
Care Guide
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Light
Bright, indirect light from east or west-facing windows; 10–14 hours of light daily (use grow lights if needed). Direct sun can fade flowers
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Water
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water from below or at soil level to avoid wetting fuzzy foliage. Use room-temperature water
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Soil
Well-draining, light potting mix formulated for African violets; standard mix amended with perlite works well
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Fertiliser
Feed every 2–4 weeks with diluted African violet fertilizer during growing season; reduce in winter. Low nitrogen promotes flowers
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Temperature
Prefers 70–75°F (21–24°C); avoid temperatures below 60°F (15°C) and drafts
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Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity (50–70%); avoid misting leaves. Use pebble trays or group plants together
Toxicity
check_circleSafe for Catscheck_circleSafe for Dogscheck_circleSafe for Children
Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and children; completely safe for families with pets
Common Diseases
Common Pests
Seasonal Care
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Resume regular watering and feeding as growth picks up.
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Peak growing season. Water and feed regularly.
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Reduce watering as growth slows. Stop heavy feeding.
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Minimal watering and feeding. Protect from frost if needed.