African violets are hairy herbs from the Gesneriaceae plant family discovered in Tanga, East Africa, growing at elevations of 100 feet or higher. Leaves usually grow in a rosette pattern. Lower leaf surfaces are paler green or light purple. Flowers are borne 8 to 10 on peduncles rising above the upper leaf surface.
Flowers can be single, semi-double or double in regard to number of petals.
African violets have always been very popular with consumers and today are still near the top of the list when number of flowering plants sold yearly is considered. Thousands of varieties of African violets exist and new hybrids are being developed constantly throughout the world. In recent years, commercial hybridizers have strived to produce new cultivars that produce a massive flowering display at time of sale. On the other hand, hobbyist breed for plant size and form, flower color and shape, frequency of bloom and light tolerance. African violets available in central Florida include standard size and miniature cultivars.