Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or cold water touching the leaves.

How do I make it bloom more?

Ensure it receives bright, indirect light and consistent fertilizer during the growing season.

Plant guide

African Violet.

Streptocarpus ionanthus

Pronounced strep-toe-KAR-pus eye-oh-NAN-thus

Also known as African Violet, African-violet, Usambara-violet

African violets are charming, compact plants that bloom almost year round. They love consistent moisture and bright, indirect light to stay happy. You will find they are quite rewarding once you find the right spot in your home.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Flowering houseplant
Light: Bright indirect light is best for blooming.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 6 to 12 inches tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Year round with proper care

Care

Water from the bottom to keep the fuzzy leaves dry and prevent spotting. Watch for drooping leaves which usually signal the plant is thirsty. Keep them away from cold drafts to ensure they keep blooming.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer specifically formulated for African violets.
Pruning: Remove spent flowers and yellowing leaves to encourage new growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the soil breaks down.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.8 to 6.2
Temperature: 15 to 24°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with good care.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant stops blooming for an extended period.
Water runs through the pot immediately without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion or damage to the delicate foliage.
Contact allergens: The fuzzy leaves can trap dust and may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The fine hairs on the leaves can occasionally irritate the respiratory tract if disturbed.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for human consumption.

How to identify it

Fuzzy, dark green rounded leaves
Small, five petaled vibrant flowers
Compact, low growing rosette habit
Yellow centers on flower blooms

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: purple, violet, white, pink, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Crown rot · Caused by water sitting in the crown of the plant.
Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your african violet from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heaters. Maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
In containers: Excellent for small pots, as they prefer to be slightly root-bound.

Leaf Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy leaf with a bit of stem.
2. Place the stem in moist potting mix.
3. Cover with plastic to maintain humidity.
4. Wait for new plantlets to emerge at the base.

Group plants with similar moisture needs together to create a humid environment.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Ferns · Ferns help create a humid microclimate beneficial for violets.

Similar species

Cape Primrose · They are close relatives with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Gesneriaceae
Genus: Streptocarpus
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa.
Conservation: Wild populations are threatened by habitat loss in their native Tanzanian forests.

It grows in the shaded, humid crevices of limestone cliffs in tropical forests.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: houseplant, indoor container plant

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of overwatering or cold water touching the leaves.
How do I make it bloom more?: Ensure it receives bright, indirect light and consistent fertilizer during the growing season.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Baron Walter von Saint Paul, while ionantha means violet-flowered.

Good to know

African violets were discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul.
They prefer to be watered from the bottom to keep their leaves dry.
The plants thrive in bright, indirect light.

Keep your african violet growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on November 5, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.