African violets crowd every corner of Donna and Jack Breen's home in Duluth's Lakeside neighborhood. A thousand of the velvety-leafed beauties blanket tables in the family room, bloom on plant stands in the living room, line shelves in the dining room and nestle next to one another in Donna's basement propagating chamber. Thirty grow lights provide the illumination so important to this flowering species. Donna, the incoming president of the Twin Cities-based African Violet Society of Minnesota, has been fascinated with violets for more than 25 years. Without a doubt, African violets are the most popular flowering houseplant in this country.
Foliage can be various shades of green or variegated in white and green.
Flowers come in a rainbow of colors from the familiar purples and blues to pinks, reds, cream and white. They come in single and double blossoms. Blossoms of the new Optimara Artist Series have thumbprints in darker hues on their light-colored petals. With their tropical origins, it's no wonder that violets want warm temperatures. Donna says they're comfortable in the same climate as we are, and thrive in bright, indirect light.