The African Violet is so easy to care for, it can actually make any amateur gardener seem like an expert.

The Saintpaulia, locally known as African Violets, belongs to the Gensneriaceae family. The genus has around six species of herbaceous perennial flowering plants which are native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya in eastern tropical Africa. Its common name was given due to a superficial resemblance to true violets.

The genus is named after Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, the district commissioner of Tanga province who “discovered” the plant in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in Africa in 1892. He sent seeds back to his father, an amateur botanist in Germany. Two British plant enthusiasts, Sir John Kirk and Reverend W.E. Taylor, had earlier collected and submitted specimens to the Royal Botanic Gardens in the 1880s, but the quality of specimens was insufficient to permit scientific description at that time. The genus Saintpaulia and original species S. ionantha were scientifically described by J.C. Wendland in 1893.

Saintpaulias grow from 6 to 15 cm tall and can be anywhere from 6 to 30 cm wide. The leaves are rounded to oval, 2.5–8.5 cm long with a 2- to 10-cm petiole. They are finely hairy and have a fleshy texture. The flowers usually have a diameter of 2 to 3 cm and have five-lobed velvety corollas. They grow in clusters of 3 to 10 or more on a slender stalk. Flower color in the wild species can be violet, purple, pale blue, or white.

Several of the species and subspecies are endangered, and many more are threatened due to clearance of their native cloud forest habitat for agriculture.

Over 2,000 cultivars have been selected for horticultural use. There are many different leaf and flower types found; cultivars are classified as Large, Standard, Trailing, Semi-mini, Mini, and Micro, with Micro being the smallest. With these vast cultivars and varieties, various plant clubs were formed just to cater to the needs of garden enthusiasts specializing in this plant group.

These plants are prized for their abundant and colorful flowers. They are the most popular of all house plants, and they have enhanced the popularity of indoor and  window sill gardening in Europe and America. There are more than 20 species in the genus, but only a few are of interest to the average indoor gardener, who is likely to prefer striking modern varieties and hybrids.

The kinds recommended below include outstanding modern forms as well as the five species from which most new kinds have been bred. All Saintpaulias have shallow root systems and either a short stem topped by a rosette of leaves or a creeping, branching, trailing stem bearing alternate leaves.

The leaves of the species are generally round or oval, somewhat hairy, medium green on the upper surface, and pale green on the underside. Leaf stalks are fleshy and pale green. In mature plants, flower stalks grow from all leaf axils. Each stalks branches near the tip, and a small, pale green calyx bearing a corolla with five lobes grow from each branch. The corolla is tubular but not longer than 1/8 inch. Their lobes spread so widely that they look like five separate petals.
 
Flowers of the species are single. They have only one layer of these petals, but a number of the varieties and hybrids usually have more. Flower color ranges from white through numerous shades of blue, purple, pink, and red. Tiny, golden yellow pollen sacs are highly noticeable in the center of the flower.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. Provide plants with bright diffused light, but not direct sunlight. Two or three hours a day of filtered sunlight will suffice.  They should never be exposed to hot noontime sunlight, or else the leaves and flowers will be scorched. Plants can be positioned near windows. African violets also grow well in artificial light. If fluorescent lighting is available, place plants 12 inches below the tubes for about 12 hours a day. Flowering will be continuous once the plant is given adequate light along with other satisfactory conditions.

Temperature. These plants flourish in ordinary room temperature. High humidity is essential; stand pots on trays of moist pebbles, and suspend dishes of water under hanging basket.

Watering. Water them moderately until the potting mixture becomes moist, but allow the top half-inch of the mixture to dry out before watering again. Too much water at any time can cause roots to rot.

Fertilization. It is recommended that African violets be given a one-quarter-strength dose of liquid fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash each time it is watered. Fertilization can also be done on a weekly basis by pouring a half cup of liquid fertilizer. You may also administer six small pellets of controlled release fertilizer once every two months.
 
Potting and Repotting. Use a mixture of equal parts of garden soil, sand, and compost plus three or four tablespoonfuls of aquarium pebbles or sand for every four cups of the mixture. African violets are shallow rooted; thus, use pots that have a diameter only of about 1/3 of that of the plant. Use a five- to six-inch container.

Propagation. African violets can be propagated by leaf cuttings or seeds (from which new cultivars are selected). Mature leaves with stalks can be removed from the plants by hand. Insert the petiole or leaf stem into loose moist potting mix, with the round-shaped leaves on the surface of the soil. New plantlets will come out in two weeks. African violets can also be propagated through plant tissue culture in the laboratory.
 
African violets are very easy to grow. They are ideal plants for the beginners and perfect for children who might have an interest in gardening. The plant has inspired a lot of amateur gardeners to fully pursue a life-long hobby of gardening.