- Low Maintenance & Nearly Year-Round Blooms
- Bright Indirect Light
- Well-Draining Soil, High In Organic Content
- 6–10 Inches Tall
- Moderate Watering, Prefers Evenly Moist Soil
The African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha), a beloved houseplant, combines elegance and simplicity. Its velvety foliage and cheerful blossoms—available in shades of purple, blue, pink, and white—make it a decorative centerpiece for any room. Native to the rainforests of East Africa, this compact plant is a perfect choice for windowsills, desks, or shelves. With minimal care, African Violets bloom nearly all year, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to your indoor space. Known also as Saintpaulia or simply "violets," their charm lies in their petite size and stunning flower clusters.
Best Locations For Growing African Violets
Ideal for cozy spaces such as living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens, African Violets thrive in areas with bright, indirect light. Bathrooms and kitchens are especially beneficial due to their naturally higher humidity levels, which mimic the plant’s tropical rainforest origins. These compact plants are perfect for windowsills and small tabletops. While beautiful, they are mildly toxic if ingested, so ensure they’re out of reach of pets and children.
African Violet Sunlight Requirements
African Violets prefer bright, indirect light and grow best near east-facing windows or a few feet away from bright south- or west-facing windows. If natural light is insufficient, supplement with fluorescent or LED grow lights. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate leaves. Signs of too much light include pale, bleached leaves, while leggy growth indicates insufficient light.
African Violet Care
African Violets flourish in well-draining soil, preferably a mix high in organic content. A specific African Violet potting mix or a blend of potting soil, peat, and perlite works best. They like being slightly root-bound, so repot only every 1–2 years into a pot one size larger. Avoid burying the crown during repotting to prevent rot. Regularly brush off their fuzzy leaves with a soft-bristled brush to remove dust and promote healthy growth. For optimal flowering, ensure the plant receives at least 8 hours of darkness each day.
Watering African Violets
Maintain evenly moist soil without overwatering. Water from the bottom by placing the pot in a shallow dish of room-temperature water until the top layer feels moist. Alternatively, use a self-watering pot or wick system. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent spotting or fungal issues. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
African Violets prefer moderate humidity levels of 40–60%. To increase humidity, place the pot on a tray of pebbles with water (ensuring the pot doesn’t sit in the water) or use a humidifier.
Feeding African Violets
During the growing season, feed African Violets every 2–4 weeks with a high-phosphorus, water-soluble fertilizer at one-quarter strength. Look for fertilizers formulated specifically for African Violets. Water the plant with plain water before feeding to prevent root burn and flush the soil monthly to remove any fertilizer buildup.
- SKU:
- 12376236-AS
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations