Saintpaulia 'African Violet'
Saintpaulia 'African Violet' - 4'' Nursery Pot - Pink is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Description
Description
African Violet – A Classic, Colorful Houseplant Favorite
Botanical Name: Saintpaulia
Common Names: African Violet
Family: Gesneriaceae
Native Range: Eastern Tropical Africa (notably Tanzania and Kenya)
Bring Vibrant Blooms Indoors with the African Violet
The African Violet is one of the most beloved flowering houseplants, known for its soft, fuzzy leaves and vibrant blooms in shades of violet, blue, pink, or white. These compact plants bloom reliably under the right conditions and bring cheerful color to your home year-round.
While African Violets have a reputation for being finicky, they’re actually quite manageable once you understand their preferences—especially when it comes to light and watering. These plants thrive in bright to medium indirect light and prefer consistent moisture in their soil—but never soggy conditions.
Avoid watering the foliage or crown directly, as this can cause spotting or rot. Bottom watering is the preferred method: simply place your pot in a shallow dish of water and allow the plant to absorb moisture through its roots. Use room temperature filtered or distilled water to avoid damage from minerals found in tap water. Keeping moisture away from the crown also helps prevent crown rot, a common issue with overwatering.
With the proper care, African Violets can bloom continuously and even become a long-lived staple in your collection. Best of all? They’re non-toxic to pets and people, making them an ideal choice for pet-friendly homes.
Ed's Care Guide
- Care Level: Best for plant enthusiasts
- Light: Bright to medium indirect light (avoid direct sun)
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; bottom watering preferred. Allow the top layer to dry slightly before watering again.
- Water Type: Use distilled or filtered water at room temperature
- Humidity: Prefers moderate humidity (40–60%)
- Temperature: Ideal range is 60–80°F; protect from cold drafts
- Soil: Use a well-aerated, African Violet-specific mix with good drainage
- Feeding: Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for African Violets or one with a higher phosphorus (middle) number (like 10-30-10), diluted to ¼ strength and applied every time you water during the growing season
- Propagation: Leaf cuttings
- Pests to Watch: Mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and occasionally fungus gnats
- Toxicity: Non-toxic to pets and humans, but always keep plants out of reach of curious paws and little hands
Fun Fact:
African Violets aren’t true violets (genus Viola)—they belong to the Gesneriad family, and many hybrids trace back to a few wild species native to the cloud forests of Tanzania.
Looking for houseplants that are safe for your furry friends? Check out our Guide to pet-friendly plants and learn how to create a vibrant, pet-safe space today!
Live Plants – Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping
What will I receive?
What will I receive?
You’ll receive one healthy live plant in the nursery-pot or hanging-basket size selected above. The listed size refers to the approximate diameter of the nursery pot, not the plant’s total height or width.
Because every plant is naturally unique, height, fullness, leaf count, coloration, variegation, vine length, maturity, and overall shape may differ from the photographs.
Unless the product listing specifically states otherwise, plants arrive in a standard nursery grow pot. Decorative planters, baskets, saucers, stands, and other accessories are sold separately.
When will my plant ship or be delivered?
When will my plant ship or be delivered?
Please allow approximately 10–15 business days for processing and preparation. Ten business days is the earliest end of the range, and many orders require most or all of the stated processing window.
Processing time is separate from carrier transit time. Local NYC delivery also requires preparation and does not automatically mean same-day or next-day service.
Orders may occasionally require additional time because of plant availability, order volume, weather, seasonal demand, or courier coordination. We will send an update when confirmed fulfillment, tracking, or delivery information becomes available.
How are live plants packaged?
How are live plants packaged?
Each live plant is inspected and packed according to its size, shape, and shipping needs. Soil and foliage may be secured to reduce movement during transit, and protective materials may be added when appropriate.
Temporary drooping, shifted soil, limited leaf loss, or minor cosmetic stress can occur while a plant adjusts after shipping. This does not necessarily mean the plant is unhealthy.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Unpack the plant promptly and carefully remove all protective packaging. Place it in appropriate light and allow it time to adjust to its new environment.
Check the soil before watering. Do not water automatically upon arrival because the plant may already have adequate moisture. Avoid immediately fertilizing, heavily pruning, or repeatedly moving the plant while it acclimates.
Should I repot my plant immediately?
Should I repot my plant immediately?
We generally recommend allowing a newly delivered plant time to acclimate before repotting unless there is an urgent plant-health reason to do so.
Repotting an eligible small plant during the first 15 days may void the Plant Health Guarantee because it can make the cause of decline difficult to determine.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Report shipping or delivery damage within 48 hours. Keep the plant and all packaging while the concern is being reviewed.
Please provide your order number, a photograph of the entire plant, close-up photographs of the concern, and photographs of the box and packaging when applicable.
Small plants in nursery pots measuring 8 inches and below may also qualify for our 15-Day Plant Health Guarantee. Large plants in nursery pots measuring 10 inches and above have a 48-hour inspection and reporting window.
Review our Refund & Returns Policy for complete eligibility and documentation requirements.
How can I get help with my order or plant?
How can I get help with my order or plant?
For the fastest assistance, use the AI chat assistant on our website. It can help with common order-status, delivery, policy, product, and plant-care questions.
Have your order number and the email address used at checkout available when asking about an order. When a concern requires photographs or human review, email support@edsplantshop.com.