African Violets: Optimara Series
Known as the world’s all-time favorite windowsill houseplant, African Violets are growing in popularity. They are one of the easiest and most adaptable flowering houseplants to grow, and the requirements for success are simple — find a good spot, don’t over water, and they’ll shower you with blooms during any season! With literally thousands of varieties to choose from there’s something for every taste. In addition to traditional shades of blue-violet, there are also shades of pink, fuchsia, white and even bicolor. Flowers come with smooth, ruffled or frilled petals while other varieties have single, semi-double or double rows of petals. Foliage color varies from green to bronze to pinkish and white variegated. With proper care, anyone can grow an African Violet. Just follow these simple rules:
- The #1 thing to avoid is overwatering. Keep evenly moist and water from the bottom of the pot with room temperature water. Once a month, water under the leaves to push the nutrients back into the soil. Avoid getting water on the fuzzy leaves as water can cause brown spots. Don’t forget to add African Violet fertilizer to your water to boost blooming power.
- Never place in direct sun, only indirect or filtered sunlight. Windows facing north or east usually provide the best light exposures.
- Always use African violet potting soil. Violets thrive in light, porous and spongy soil, which allows roots to grow freely and surplus water to pass through easily.
- Groom regularly by removing dead or dying foliage and flowers.
Be sure to check out our stunning new varieties from the Optimara Series. Select from two-inch minis, which include over 15 full-blooming varieties and are genuine miniatures, with no growth retardants used to keep them small. They are a great option when space is limited. Or choose from four-inch violets with white blooms with bright colored centers.
