African violets are tropical plants from East Africa. That’s why they make good indoor plants. They would never survive outdoors in most U.S. climates as a normal violet would. You can buy these plants almost anywhere, including grocery stores and garden centers.

African violets need bright light to bloom, but cannot tolerate hot, direct sun because their leaves are easily scorched by intense light.

Violets require 2 to 4 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. If they don’t receive enough light, they will not bloom. They will look like a healthy plant with dark green leaves but no flowers. Too much direct sun will give the appearance of reddish yellow leaves and spindly flowers.

Examine the soil with your fingertip, if it feels dry, be ready to water the plant. They require more or less water depending on what type of potting soil you use. However, flush the soil thoroughly with water every month or 6 weeks.

Though these fuzzy blooming houseplants have a reputation for being finicky, they’re actually not difficult to grow once you know how to follow some basic rules for their care. And, in the right conditions, these plants may bloom all year round.

How to Care for African Violets

1. Keep the soil lightly moist and use room-temperature water.
2. Leaves are susceptible to rot if kept in high humidity, so water African violets from the bottom to avoid getting excess water on the leaves.
3. Dust dirt off the leaves with a small, soft brush.

How Often Do African Violets Bloom? One of the reasons African violets are so well-loved is that they can bloom nearly year-round with the right care. Each healthy flower will last two or three weeks. A happy plant can continue producing new blossoms regularly for 10 to 12 months out of the year.