Family: Gesneriaceae
Common Names: African Violet, Saintpaulia
Plant Type: Tropical flowering perennial
Best For: Windowsills, desks, shelves and small spaces
Pet Friendly: Yes, generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.*
Available Size: 4" nursery pots
African violets are compact flowering houseplants known for their velvety leaves and clusters of colourful blooms. Despite their common name, they aren't true violets at all. They belong to the Gesneriad family and originate in East Africa; Streptocarpus ionanthus is native to Kenya and Tanzania.
Their small footprint and ability to flower indoors make them especially well suited to windowsills, shelves and other bright spaces where a larger tropical plant might feel out of place. They were historically classified in the genus Saintpaulia, a name still commonly encountered in garden centres and older plant guides.
Light: Indirect light. Protect from intense direct afternoon sun.
Water: Water when the upper layer of soil begins to feel dry. Bottom watering is best.
Temperature: 18°C–26°C is a comfortable indoor range.
Bloom: Capable of flowering repeatedly throughout the year.
Growth: Best grown indoors in a container in our Northern Alberta climate.
Maintenance: Remove spent flowers and damaged leaves as needed. Rotate periodically for balanced growth.
Plant appearance, bloom colour and size may vary.
Each plant is a living specimen and naturally unique.
*African Violet is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Eating any plant material may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet.
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common Names: African Violet, Saintpaulia
Plant Type: Tropical flowering perennial
Best For: Windowsills, desks, shelves and small spaces
Pet Friendly: Yes, generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.*
Available Size: 4" nursery pots
African violets are compact flowering houseplants known for their velvety leaves and clusters of colourful blooms. Despite their common name, they aren't true violets at all. They belong to the Gesneriad family and originate in East Africa; Streptocarpus ionanthus is native to Kenya and Tanzania.
Their small footprint and ability to flower indoors make them especially well suited to windowsills, shelves and other bright spaces where a larger tropical plant might feel out of place. They were historically classified in the genus Saintpaulia, a name still commonly encountered in garden centres and older plant guides.
Light: Indirect light. Protect from intense direct afternoon sun.
Water: Water when the upper layer of soil begins to feel dry. Bottom watering is best.
Temperature: 18°C–26°C is a comfortable indoor range.
Bloom: Capable of flowering repeatedly throughout the year.
Growth: Best grown indoors in a container in our Northern Alberta climate.
Maintenance: Remove spent flowers and damaged leaves as needed. Rotate periodically for balanced growth.
Plant appearance, bloom colour and size may vary.
Each plant is a living specimen and naturally unique.
*African Violet is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Eating any plant material may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet.
