A saintpaulia is more commonly known as?

Saintpaulia ionantha, commonly called African violet, is one of the most satisfactory flowering houseplants. It is a low, compact plant with attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves.

1. Why is African violet called that?
2. What species is African violet?
3. Are African violets originally from Africa?
4. What are African violets used for?
5. What is African violet soil?
6. How many types of African violets are there?
7. How do I identify African violets?
8. Why are African violets so popular?
9. What is the rarest African violet?
10. What is the largest African violet?
11. What type of asexual reproduction do African violets have?
12. Do African violets need sun?

Why is African violet called that?

Wild species can have violet, purple, pale blue, or white flowers. The plants get their common name "African violet" from their superficial resemblance to true violets (Viola, family Violaceae).

What species is African violet?

African violet, (genus Saintpaulia), genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae native to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa. African violets are common houseplants, especially Saintpaulia ionantha, and can thrive in low light conditions and bloom throughout the year.

Are African violets originally from Africa?

Bright indirect light is a must.

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to rainforests in the mountains of eastern African countries like Tanzania. They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation. In their native environments, direct light never touches their leaves.

What are African violets used for?

Cole explained, "Because (african violet) growers work in conditions that can contribute to the development of dry, irritated skin, many growers use body lotions to help soothe and moisturize their dry skin. Many consumers also use these products.

What is African violet soil?

African Violets are sensitive to change in the soil content and ingredients. Use ingredients like perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss coco coir, and coco peat. A mix of peat moss with vermiculite and perlite in the ratio of 50:25:25 is optimal.

How many types of African violets are there?

The African Violet Society of America, the largest group dedicated to a single plant type in the world, has more than 16,000 cultivars in their database. Some of these look virtually identical to one another, and there is much confusion on the different varieties.

How do I identify African violets?

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha.) Leaves and stems are very pubescent. Leaves can be oval to heart-shaped with smooth or ruffled margins. Flowers are borne in single or double clusters, can have five or more petals, may be ruffled around the edges of the petals, and come in different shades and color combinations.

Why are African violets so popular?

African violets are perhaps the most popular flowering houseplants grown in the world today. There are many reasons for this: The plants generally flower the year round, giving an almost continuous display of blooms. They require the same temperatures humans find comfortable, making them easy to raise in our homes.

What is the rarest African violet?

H wrote it down for me: Saintpaulia pusilla. That's right. The flower that I had seen in the rare Udzungwa Mountains of Africa (according to Mr. H) is the rare, and perhaps “extinct” species of African violet, Saintpaulia pusilla.

What is the largest African violet?

They sit there and thumb their noses at you and say, 'I dare you to grow me,' " said Progebin, a Plantation resident. When she lived in New Jersey years ago, she grew the largest African violet on record: a whopping 37 inches across and bearing more than 350 open flowers.

What type of asexual reproduction do African violets have?

African Violets reproduce asexually by the help of other organisms, such as humans. The organism cuts off a piece of the violet and places it on damp soil... ... allowing it to create a new genetically identical bud.

Do African violets need sun?

African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.