This is a “Grower's Choice” plant, which means our Plant Team will choose one African Violet Cultivar that's available. Plants may differ in color and appearance from the plant pictured.  

Scientific Name: Streptocarpus ionanthus

Common Name: African violet

Defining Characteristics:

• Leaves are round to heart-shaped, thick, and covered in fine hairs. These hairs act as moisture retainers but make the leaves highly sensitive to cold water, which causes brown spotting.
• The dark or light green leaves emerge from the very center of the plant, fanning out horizontally to form a symmetrical, flat "wheel" shape when grown properly.
• Flowers have a two-lobed upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip. While wild species are violet or pale blue, centuries of cultivation have produced white, pink, red, purple, and bicolored varieties, available in single, semi-double, and double petal forms.

Recommended Pot Size: Small - Medium. They prefer to be slightly rootbound in smaller pots.

Josh’s Frogs offers a wide variety of supplies for all of your indoor gardening needs.

Temperature Requirement (°F): 65-75 °F

Humidity: 40% to 60%

Watering Frequency: Test the top inch of the soil with your finger. If it feels dry to the touch, it is time to water. Water from the bottom up to protect their sensitive, fuzzy foliage

Lighting: Bright, Indirect Light

Soil Type: African violets require a light, loose, and highly porous soil mix like Josh's Frogs High-Perlite Potting Soil.

Growth Rate: Slow 

Height at Maturity: 8 to 16 inches

Origin: African violets originate from the cloud forests of East Africa, specifically the mountainous regions of Tanzania and Kenya.

Regional Locality: They grow on steep, moss-covered rock faces and the forest floor beneath a dense canopy of trees.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 11-12

Suggested Vivarium/ Animal Terrarium Use:

Care Notes: African violets require a light, loose, and highly porous soil mix like Josh's Frogs High-Perlite Potting Soil. Test the top inch of the soil with your finger. If it feels dry to the touch, it is time to water. Water from the bottom up to protect their sensitive, fuzzy foliage.

Another plant in the Streptocarpus genus that could be grown alongside the African violet is the Streptocarpus saxorum 'Streptocarpella', or the False African Violet. It has similar fuzzy leaves and flowers prolifically. 

 Shipping Notes: Generous LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE offered.

As good practice, Josh's Frogs recommends washing all plants thoroughly, removing as much soil as possible with dechlorinated water before placing them in their final home. Live plants may vary in color, size, and appearance.

ALL PLANTS ARE SHIPPED IN POTS WITH SOIL OR OTHER MEDIA UNLESS IT IS DEEMED NECESSARY TO SHIP BARE ROOT.

Standard pot sizes for Josh's Frogs plants typically range from 1.25-3.5 inches.