African violet, also called Saintpaulia, is a tropical plant with beautiful flowers and heart-shaped, fuzzy leaves. It is not a true violet. A native of Africa, it is widely cultivated as a house plant. The plant thrives in moderate temperatures and soil rich in humus (decayed matter). It grows from 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) tall. The flowers, up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) across, grow in clusters of three or more on slender stalks. They range in color from white to pink to violet. The name Saintpaulia comes from Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, a German nobleman who discovered the plant in 1892.
