African Violets

plants · Africa · flowers

Native to Tanzania. African violets come from the tropical forests of Tanzania and nearby Kenya in eastern Africa, where they grow naturally in their wild home.

Delicate and showy. These herbaceous perennial plants produce beautiful flowers and can bloom year after year, making them popular with gardeners all around the world.

DNA changed everything. Scientists used to think African violets were their own separate genus called Saintpaulia, but when they studied their DNA, they discovered the plants actually belong in the bigger Streptocarpus genus.

About ten species. The African violet section includes roughly ten different species, each with their own special characteristics and appearance.