The African Violet, scientifically known as Saintpaulia, is a widely appreciated houseplant valued for its colorful, nearly constant blooms and compact size. They offer a remarkable variety of flower shapes, colors, and leaf textures, making them a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts. Their general ease of blooming under typical indoor conditions contributes to their appeal. This guide will walk you through the various purchasing options, selection criteria, and immediate post-purchase procedures for bringing home your new African Violet.
Primary Sources for Purchasing African Violets
African Violets are readily available through several channels, ranging from general retailers to highly specialized vendors. Big box stores and general garden centers represent the most accessible option, providing plants at a lower price point and allowing for immediate purchase. While convenient, the plants at these high-volume locations may have been subject to less attentive care, sometimes leading to mislabeled or stressed specimens.
Local nurseries often provide a higher standard of plant quality and staff expertise compared to larger chain stores. Although prices may be slightly higher, the staff are typically more knowledgeable about houseplant care and can offer better advice. This source is a good middle ground for buyers seeking a healthy, well-cared-for plant without needing the rarest varieties.
For collectors or those seeking specific, unusual cultivars, online specialty vendors are the preferred source. These dedicated shops offer a significantly broader inventory, including rare or newly hybridized varieties not found in retail settings. While shipping costs and the risk of transit damage are factors, reputable online sellers often guarantee the plant’s health upon arrival and specialize in secure packaging.
African Violet societies and local club shows provide the best avenue for acquiring high-quality plants and expert knowledge. Plants purchased directly from club members are often grown by experienced hobbyists and may include unique varieties. These settings also offer the chance to purchase starter plants or leaf cuttings, which can be a cost-effective way to expand a collection.
Essential Inspection Steps Before Buying
Regardless of the source, a thorough visual inspection is necessary to ensure the African Violet is healthy before purchase. Begin by examining the foliage, which should be firm, uniformly green, and upright, with a symmetrical rosette pattern. Avoid plants exhibiting yellowing, limpness, curled edges, or brown spots, as these indicate poor care or disease.
Next, assess the plant for potential pests by closely inspecting the center crown and the undersides of the leaves. Common pests include mealybugs (white, cottony masses) and thrips (tiny, slender insects). Cyclamen mites are harder to spot, but their presence is indicated by distorted, stunted, or overly hairy new growth at the center of the plant.
It is also important to check the flower quality and the state of the potting medium. The plant should ideally have a mix of open blooms and closed, developing buds to ensure continued flowering. Avoid plants where the buds appear shriveled or blasted, which suggests a past environmental stressor. Finally, inspect the soil; it should be lightly moist, not waterlogged (indicating potential root rot), nor completely dry.
Navigating African Violet Sizes and Types
African Violets are classified into distinct size categories based on the diameter of the mature leaf span. The largest grouping is the Standard size, which measures between 8 and 16 inches across the crown. A semi-miniature African Violet is smaller, with a mature diameter ranging from 6 to 8 inches.
Miniature African Violets have a leaf span of 6 inches or less, making them ideal for small windowsills or desktop containers. The micro-miniature subcategory is even smaller, with a diameter of 3 inches or less, requiring specialized growing conditions.
Beyond size, African Violets are categorized by their growth habit and foliage characteristics. The rosette type is the most common, featuring leaves that grow in layered whorls from a single central crown. Trailing varieties develop multiple crowns and longer, branching stems suitable for hanging baskets. Many cultivars also feature variegated foliage, displaying patterns of white, cream, or pink alongside the standard green.
Immediate Care Upon Bringing Your Plant Home
The period immediately following purchase is important for the plant’s long-term success and the safety of your existing collection. The first necessary action is to place the new plant in quarantine, isolating it from other houseplants for four to six weeks. This isolation period allows you to closely monitor the new arrival for any signs of pests or diseases missed during the initial inspection.
During quarantine, place the African Violet in a location that receives bright, indirect light, which is necessary for sustained blooming. Maintain stable temperatures and avoid placing the plant near drafts or cold window glass, as Saintpaulia are sensitive to sudden temperature fluctuations. Immediate repotting is not recommended unless the plant is severely pot-bound, the soil is unsuitable, or a pest issue is discovered in the root ball. Allowing the plant to acclimate for a few weeks before any major disturbance helps reduce transplant shock.