It seems like everybody has grown one of these at one time or another. The genus consists of 12 species native to high elevations of tropical eastern Africa. Delicate flowers rise up through a whorl of thick, hairy green leaves.
Colors range from red to purple to white.
Newer varieties have been developed with semi-double or double rows of petals. You'll also be impressed by new bi-colored flowers, trailing varieties and miniatures. African Violets will grow and flower under conditions found in the average home. They like bright indirect light but will grow in lower light as well. Direct sun will burn the leaves and too much indirect light will turn the leaves yellow.