Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Saintpaulia ionantha or African violet

The genus Saintpaulia, family Gesneriaceae, includes 6 species of herbaceous plants native to eastern tropical Africa. Some species are: Saintpaulia ionantha, Saintpaulia inconspicua, Saintpaulia shumensis.

Common names: African violet. Scientific synonym: Streptocarpus ionanthus. This species is native to Tanzania.

They are small tropical plants that form padded rosettes that reach 10 cm (3.93") in height and 20 cm (7.87") in diameter. The leaves are fleshy, velvety and dark green. The attractive flowers can be double or single and have velvety mauve, purple, pink, red or white petals. They can bloom almost all year round.

These easy-to-grow plants are used as indoor and greenhouse plants. In tropical regions they can be grown in shady rockery.

The Saintpaulia ionantha needs a light exposure but without direct sun. They do not resist temperatures below 15 ºC (59 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 1/3 normal garden soil, 1/3 peat, and 1/3 coarse sand. The transplant is done in winter.

Water regularly by immersion so that the substrate does not dry out completely; wait for the substrate surface to dry and avoid wetting the sheets. The humidity must be high; place a plate with wet pebbles under the pot.

Fertilize with mineral houseplant fertilizer once a month during flowering.

They can be attacked by aphids, mites and mealybugs if ventilation is not adequate. The direct sun burns the leaves.

They are propagated by leaf cuttings planted in damp sand or in water. When the roots have developed they are transplanted into a pot.

Images of the indoor plant Saintpaulia ionantha or African violet