The African violet, Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia ionantha encompasses countless cultivars ranging from miniatures, that can be very useful in the terrarium and vivarium to standards that would only work in the very largest enclosures. There are also a few species available that can be useful.
I am giving these plants their own section, because they are also wonderful houseplants, and probably enjoyed more often that way. But I use them often enough in my vivariums that I still wanted to include them on this website. Obviously I will only barely scratch the surface of the many cultivars available, and that doesn’t even touch the countless “NOID’s” (unidentified cultivar) that are still very lovely, and very inexpensive, that can be picked up at any big box or grocery store. The two in my BiOrb, above, are just little “grocery store” miniatures, but they have been a delight in there, blooming over and over again! So do not turn your nose up at these inexpensive beauties just because they are unnamed!
The plants listed below are those named cultivars in my own collection.
Aca’s Libbie
Aca's Libbie (8623) 06/16/1997 (J. Brownlie) “Single-semidouble light pink sticktite pansy/red sparkle edge. Variegated green, pink and white, plain, quilted. Semiminiature”
AE Chimera of Destiny
(AE Khimera Sud'by) Very unusual! Large sdbl. variable orchid stars, white puffs throughout, ringed in dark orchid-purple, then edged in white. Medium green foliage. Standard. (Arkipov)
More photos <Here>
AE Mirror of Destiny
(AE Zerkalo Sud'by) Stunning, dark orchid-purple sdbl. stars, with white fantasy puffs, broadly edged in bright white. Medium green foliage. Standard. (Arkipov)
More photos <Here>
AE Sharlene Nostalgia
(AE Sharlene Nostagie) Double white blooms with orchid-lavender thumbprints spotted purple fantasy. Medium green foliage. Standard. (Arkipov)
No longer in my collection - After its first bloom cycle it declined badly. I am not sure why was wrong, but I worried about pests, so tossed it. I would like to get this one gain!
Aly’s Rosy Baby
(Droege) Semidouble rose flowers. Dark pointed leaves. Miniature trailer
(Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine blooms)
Ann
Double rose-pink frilled two-tone, with darker eye, edge. Pointed, ruffled, TL variegated foliage. Standard. (B.Bryant 1987) Vintage, AVSA #6649
One of my very favorites!!!
Bloodshot
The red pansies on this variety bloom as semidoubles, and have a sporadic light pink edge. The dark green, slightly cupped foliage is heavily variegated with beige. Compact standard. (Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
Blueberries n Cream
Blueberries 'n' Cream (6415) 11/05/1986 (P. Harris) Double dark blue. Variegated bright green and white, glossy, pointed. Miniature trailer
No longer in my collection. Bloom stalks are long and weak, and rosette form is poor.
Blue Dragon
This magnificent variety flaunts semidouble and double large stars of light blue, accented by a dark blue center. Striking bands of light, reddish-purple surround each frilly edged blossom, randomly marked in variable, light green. Flowers look best when grown cool! Large, dark green foliage. Standard. AVSA Reg. #9516 P Sorano 12/17/2005
Blue Tail Fly
Bleu Lorraine (J. Eyerdom) Double blue-lavender/darker shaded eye,. wasp. Bustle-back. Standard.
(Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine blooms)
Buckeye Country Gal
(8883) 08/10/2000 (P. Hancock) Semidouble light fuchsia large ruffled pansy/variable lavender-purple fantasy. Variegated dark green, pink and cream, heart-shaped, glossy, serrated/red back. Large Standard (DAVS 1620)
Cajun’s Beautiful Oblivion
(10572) 01/11/2013 (B. Thibodeaux) Single-semidouble purple frilled star/pink and white fantasy. Variegated dark green, cream and pink, plain. Standard (DAVS 1764)
Absolutely STUNNING flowers!!!
Cajun’s Popcorn
Cajun Popcorn (7114) 05/15/1989 (J. Domiano) Double light pink ruffled pansy/fuchsia eye. Variegated dark green, pointed, glossy. Large (DAVS 1203)
Chicago Flair
Sdbl. ruffled pink pansies with darker eye, thin white edge. Beautiful, TL variegated foliage. Beautiful showplant. Standard. (Hoover) AVSA #8917
Damascus Rose
АВ-Дамасская Роза (AV-Damascus Rose) 2019. Blossom: Large double lilac ruffled stars with green/white edges. Foliage: Medium green, serrated, slightly wavy. Standard
Da Vinci
Large standard bicolor 'Da Vinci' 1995 Holtkamp (Optimara)
Revised in 2001 - ASVA # 8319
Click <Here> for other photos
Dew’s Comet Tail
Dew's Comet Tail - 2022 (L. Huang) Blossom- Single white star with purple eye, bright pink puff fantasy, and subtle light purple or pink center strip. Foliage - Medium green, pointed. Standard chimera. Sport of RS-Comet / РС-Комета
Strong, long lasting bloomer
Dew’s Gooseberries
2024 Blossom - Double white star with variable pink chimera stripe. Foliage - Medium green, serrated. Semiminiature chimera.
Sport of Kentucky Gooseberries
This variety is a prolific bloomer, but is fussy after repotting and needs to be tented.
Dew’s Ruby
2025 (L. Huang) Double pink frilled star with darker eye. Mosaic variegated medium green and white, plain, quilted. Standard. Sport of Watermelon Snow
This unique sport features the foliage of Watermelon Snow and the blooms of Rose Bouquet. Variegation is temperature dependent.
Dn-Color Zabahanky
Dn-Кольорові Забаганки (D. Denysenko, Ukraine)
DN Kaleidoscope
Dn-Kaleidoscope 2023 (D. Denysenko, Ukraine) Blossom- huge single blue star with white and pink puff fantasy. Foliage - Variegated white and dark green, pointed. Standard.
DN New Star
(D. Denysenko, Ukraine) Blossom- Huge single white stars with a blue eye of variable size. Foliage - Dark green, pointed. Standard.
Note: The size the blue eye changes in different growing conditions. However, the flowers are huge and it blooms continuously for months on end.
DN Peaceful Night
DN Tykhoj Nochi
Dresden Doll
(7259) 11/24/1989 (P. Harris) Double pale pink. Medium green, heart-shaped, pointed. Standard trailer
(Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
This was cold-damaged on the way to me. I will try to replace it.
DS Shining Blue Bell
(I. Nicholson) Blossom - Hot pink with blue pinwheel strips. Small standard. Sport of DS-Shining Bell. A stunning standard chimera. In cool temperatures, the blooms develop a white eye.
Very pretty flowers on tall, stiff stems, but the rosette requires work to keep it neat and tidy.
DS Pinka
DS-Пинка Standard chimera. Bright pink bell-shaped flowers with wavy edges of petals, with a white eye and blue chimeric stripes along with small strokes of pink fantasy. Compact, even rosette of medium-green leaves.
More photos <here>
No longer in my collection. The flowers never really lived up to those on seller’s web site. They stayed small and were never numerous. Combined with the unruly growth habit, I just didn’t care for it.
Edge of Darkness
Extremely dark purple semidouble stars with thin white, slightly fringed, edge. Dark green and white, red-backed, TL variegated leaves. Standard. (Sorano, LL)
Ellie Gardner
(P. Harris) (7261) 11/24/1989 Double bright pink two-tone wavy. Variegated, plain. Standard trailer
The jury is still out on this one. The flowers are pretty, but the foliage has a curl I don’t care for. But it is still young and small. I will give it time!
Frozen Bells
Semiminiature Single white sticktite (non-dropping) wasp styled bell blossoms with distinctive green stripes (almost a fantasy pattern). Medium green, variegated , plain foliage. (T. Golovchenko )
Variety Note: This is thought to be a sport (mutation) of Frozen in Time (S. Sorano)
Gene’s Blue Ice
Semidouble to double blue and white large blue edge. Variegated medium green and white, ovate, quilted, glossy. Semi Miniature Trailer. AVSA Reg. #7427 (Lloyd)
(Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
Harmony’s Spring Fever
Crown variegated miniature. Small, purple semi-double blooms with white edges.
Honey Blue Ace
Hybridizer: Hortense Pittman
Semiminiature, Wisteria blue blossoms edged in white. Very dark green, tailored, pointed foliage.
Profuse bloomer and tidy rosette if you stay on top of the suckers!
Honky Tonk Blues
(LLG/P.Sorano) (9526) 12/17/2005 Purple, single stars, with heavily fluted edges. A great bloomer! Blooms have violet-red iridescence on the flower face. The semiminiature foliage is medium green, quilted, and serrated.
HUGE flowers for a small plant!
Hunter’s Dew Drops
Sdbl. pink pansies with lots of white puff fantasy. Round, dark, red-backed foliage. A larger growing semiminiature. (Muzalewski)
Very unusual bloom, good bloomer, fairly stable.
Hunter’s Pew Pew
Semidouble bright pink stars with striking white fantasy spotches. Medium green, standard foliage.
Lovely plant, easy grower and bloomer with stunning, long lasting flowers.
Hunter’s Venom
(K. Muzalewski) Fuchsia wasp, sticktite. Green, bustle foliage. Semiminiature
Jury is out on this one for me, simply because it is a wasp, and I don’t love wasps. Great color, though!
Hunter’s Watch Her Strut
Large full double (almost triple) purple with white mottling. Medium green, tailored, pointed girl foliage. Miniature.
Hunter’s Whitetail Fawn
(11244) 07/17/2019 (K. Muzalewski) Semidouble-double white and blue pansy/darker eye. Medium green, pointed. Miniature, Jolly Orchid x Jolly Pepper
Ian Pasha
(10109) 08/07/2009 (N. Puminova) Semidouble pale pink wavy star/light lavender-blue fantasy. Medium green, quilted, scalloped. Semiminiature (Russ/Ukr)
Jersey Starlight Trail
AVSA #10671 (Kurzynski) Beautiful trailer, Sdbl. creamy-white pansies with pink eye. Green and cream variegated foliage (variegation best when grown cool). Semiminiature trailing foliage.
Jolly Joy
1/15/07 H. Pittman Single-semi-double pink pansy. Dark green plain quilted leaves. TX Hyb, DAVS 1654
Jolly Marvel
Jolly Marvel (H.Pittman) #10457 (11/21/201) Single-semidouble coral ruffled pansy. Crown variegated medium green and cream. Semiminiature.
(Photo from Google. Will be replaced when mine blooms)
Jupiter’s Joy
Semidouble white with fuchsia markings. Light green, plain foliage. Semiminiature. (DAVS 1390) AVSA Reg. #8044 (Pittman)
(Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine blooms)
K’s Simply Put
Large semidouble deep fuchsia stars with broad, bright white borders. Wonderful green and white TL variegated foliage. Standard. (Hajner) (Photo from hybridizer - will be replaced when mine blooms)
LE Kotenok Miau (Kitten’s Meow)
Miniature. Bright green foliage, bell shaped single lavender blossoms.
Does best for me with higher humidity. Flowers are much more open and larger when kept in a humidity case.
LE - Mint Coolness
Hybridizer: E. Lebetskaia
Large white pansy with large purple eye. Medium green, quilted foliage. Semiminiature
LE-Rein (River Rhine)
Cute! Small, pale blue bells adorn this prolific grower. Miniature. (E. Lebetskaia)
Unfortunately, it is a dropper.
LE Rings of Saturn
LE-Kol'tsa Saturna (11027) 05/24/2018 (E. Lebetskaia) Single-semidouble lavender large frilled star/darker rays, fuchsia ring around eye, fuchsia band, white edge. Dark green, plain. Standard (Russ/Ukr)
Love this one!!!
LE Whipped Cream
ЛЕ-Взбитые Сливки химера - Hybridizer: E. Lebetskaia, standard chimera. Beautiful, but it is supposed to be a red and white striped chimera. It’s really pretty, though, and up close has very thin red stripes.
No longer in my collection because it sported.
Little Blue Bandit
Small, dark blue, single and semidouble stars, which are slightly cupped. This variety has a good bloom count. The foliage is heart shaped, and dark green with a red reverse. AVSA Reg. #10409 (LLG)
Little Bo Peep
(Storytella) Single light pink Pansy. Girl foliage. Miniature. Little Bo Peep.
Huge flower count for such a small plant.
Little Chippery Trail
Little Chippery Trail (7665) 01/31/1992 (Armstrong/Domiano) Double dark fuchsia star. Medium green, pointed. Miniature trailer (DAVS 1342)
Lituanika
Description from Plantaria website: “Very popular retro variety created by Lithuanian hybridizer Fatina Bütiené. It blooms with rather big (up to 5 cm / 2”) super-double soft pink dahlia-shaped flowers with elongated petals and dark-pink tips. Elongated serrated plane pointed leaves. Semi-miniature trailer. It can be also grown in bigger pots as a small standard with 1 rosette or a standard trailer with several rosettes.”
LL Lemon Burst
Double white stars with a heavy yellow blush and a fringed green edge. Great bloom count. A large standard grower, that shapes well, is lightly quilted, medium green and slightly serrated. AVSA Reg. #9531
No longer in my collection because the blooms are too heavy for the plant to hold up on the long weak stems. It’s still pretty in a way with its draping blooms, but not my style.
Mac’s Flamboyant Flame
I don’t have a description for this one.
(Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
Mac’s Walkabout Uluroo
Registration 10515 - 02/02/2002 Single-semidouble pink pansy. Crown variegated medium green, white, and pink clackamas foliage. Miniature. (AVSA/FC)
Marching Band
7/18/97 (K. Stork) Single-Semi double hot pink pansy, raspberry-red sparkle edge. Dark green plain/red backed foliage, large standard.
N - Kiurasao
(N - Curacao)
Semiminiature, Full double light purple blossoms are streaked with white fantasy. VERY dark green, variegated foliage.
(Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine blooms)
N - Sonnaya Loshchina (N - Sleepy Hollow)
Single to semidouble blue stars with white geneva edge. Dark green, serrated girl foliage. Miniature. Russian hybridizer N. Berdnikova
This is just an elegant little plant in every respect.
ND First Year
(ND Pervokisshka) Double pink stars with blue fantasy and wide white edge. Green and white TL variegated foliage. Foliage is very shiny with very little hair. Standard.
Ness’ Crinkle Blue
#8136(01/19/1995) Double dark blue star/thin white edge. Dark green, quilted, serrated/red back. Semiminiature. (D. Ness)
Very tidy rosette with beautiful flowers. It is obvious why this is a favorite of so many people.
NK Strawberry Cupcake
НК-Клубничный Капкейк (Н. Козак) Blossom - Semidouble dark coral. Foliage - Medium green and cream, crown variegation. Semiminiature.
Beautiful plant with lovely form and stunning, bright flowers.
NK-Strawberry Cupcake Sport
Blossom - Semidouble light coral. Foliage - light green and cream, crown variegation. Semiminiature.
(Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
Norton’s Elaine
Hybridizer: J. Norton Semiminiature, Single sticktite (non-dropping) purple pansy with a distinctive white chimera stripe. Dark green, slightly serrated and wavy girl foliage. Variety Origin: This is a sport of Baby Jay (M. Gall)
Long lasting bloomer with LOTS of flowers. Foliage is crazy, but actually grows in a pretty nice rosette.
Ola Nefertiti’s Bracelet
OлА-Браслет Нефертити
Standard leaf chimera, leaves have lighter green centers with darker green edges. Flowers are very double, lavender, lighter in the middle, darker toward the edges.
Optimara Little Blackfoot Girl
Bloom Type: Single,Bloom Color: Red, Leaf Type: Serrated,Dark green (purple-red reverse), Miniature, Year Introduced: 1991, AVSA Registration Number: 7488, Patent Number: 7704
Optimara Little Crystal
Super miniature, Semi-double White blooms, Plain Medium green leaves. Introduced in 1990 AVSA # 7350 Patent Number: 7133
Such a pretty little thing! Clusters of blossoms are held on long, stiff stakes that are fully capable of holding the clusters aloft with no drooping!
Optimara Little Hopi
Hybridizer: Holtkamp (Optimara) Semiminiature, Large pink sticktite (non-dropping) pansy blossoms with dark purple fantasy splashes and specks. Dark green, pointed foliage.
It would be hard to find flowers prettier than these!
Optimara Little Wichita Girl
Series: Little Indian, Miniature, Bloom Type: Double Pink Leaf Type: Plain, Medium green
Optimara Modesty
Hybridizer: Holtkamp (Optimara Greenhouses), Standard, Large ruffled dark purple blossoms adorn dark green, light serrated, variegated foliage. (Photo makes flower look blue, but it is really purple)
Pearl Delight
Жемчужный Восторг, Blossom: Semi-double pale pink, with delicate freckles of blue fantasy., Foliage: Light green with white edge, pointed glossy foliage. Semiminiature leaf chimera trailer. Sport of Rob's Boolaroo
Pretty foliage and pretty flowers! It grows much slower than Rob’s Boolaroo, however.
Pixie Runaround Sport
Single pinwheel bells of blue with wide center white stripes. Medium green and white variegated foliage. Mini chimera trailer.
Plum Pixie
(C. Sotkiewicz) Semidouble purple bell. Miniature trailer.
(Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine blooms)
Rhapsodie Angelica
11/19/1998 (Holtkamp) Single light salmon-pink blossoms. Leaves are medium green, ovate, pointed, glossy, hairy. Standard,
Rivermist Oohlala
Rivermist Oohlala is not a true chimera, but does have stripes about 70% of the time. Yet some blooms may have the stripes on a few blooms, while others do not…
(photo from Google will be replaced by my own later)
RM Pink Curls
RM-Rozovye Kudri (10903) 06/07/2017 (D. Ozherelyev/N. Skorniakova) Single pink sticktite star/ivory eye, light green edge, petals curved backward. Medium green, quilted, ruffled. Standard (Russ/Ukr)
Although the flowers have anthers, at least on my plant, there is no pollen in them.
Rob’s Boolaroo
“Sparkling double light pink, heavily peppered with blue fantasy.” Constant and heavy bloomer. Semiminiature trailer. AVSA #8053”
Another prolific bloomer and fast grower for me.
Rob’s Boondoggle
(R. Robinson) (7880) 06/02/1993 Semidouble dark red sticktite star/wide white ruffled edge. Dark black-green, wavy, serrated/red back. Semiminiature (AVML)
This has grown slowly and been. shy bloomer for me. It is doing better now that I have put it in a humidity case.
Rob’s Calypso Beat
Rob's Calypso Beat Large bright pink pansies dotted with purple fantasy. Medium dark foliage. Semiminiature. (R. Robinson #8169)
Rob’s Cherry Soda
Sdbl. rose pansies speckled with dark rose-red fantasy. Dark variegated miniature foliage. Very heavy bloomer. AVSA #8055
More photos <Here>
Rob’s Cool Fruit
(AVSA #8608) 05/31/1997 (R. Robinson) Double white pansy/rose-pink edge. Crown variegated medium green, white and yellow, pointed, serrated. Semi-miniature.
Rob’s Fe Fi
Single white stars with pinwheel stripes spotted with blue fantasy spots. Pointed, medium green foliage. Miniature chimera. R. Robinson AVSA #8173 (Photo from Google - Will be replaced when mine flowers)
Rob’s Ice Ripples
(8610) 05/31/1997 (R. Robinson) Semidouble white ruffled star/wide medium blue edge. Medium green, glossy, wavy, serrated. Miniature
(Photo from Google - will be replaced when mine blooms)
Rob’s Jindalee
Double, medium to dark blue sticktite pansy with variable white mottled tips. Medium green, pointed, serrated. Semiminiature trailer. (R. Robinson) Jan 16, 2018
Incredibly heavy bloomer!!!
Rob’s Miriwinni
Single pink pansies with blue pinwheel rays and speckling. Rounded, quilted, semiminiature trailing foliage. Constant bloomer. R. Robinson
Rob’s Scrumptious
“Large sdbl. deep pink thumbprint stars with white center and borders. Cream, white, and green, round, variegated foliage. Small semiminiature. AVSA #9466”
One of my very favorites, especially for such a little thing!
Rob’s Squeeze Toy
Shockingly deep, almost florescent, coral semidouble blooms. Dark green and gold variegated foliage. Beautiful colors. Semiminiature. AVSA #9129
Rob’s Vanilla Trail
Semi-miniature trailer
Super fast growing, hardy and prolific bloomer. Hard not to love.
One of only a very few violets that I keep more than one of!
Scales
(E. Lebetskaya) 2018. Blossom: Delicate sky blue semi-double and double flowers. Foliage: Pink-platinum crown variegation. Semiminiature. (AVSA)
For me, this has been a painfully slow grower. I am still waiting for it to bloom!
Sergent Pepper
(S. Sorano) Semidouble medium pink frilled pansy/blue fantasy; red sparkle and edge. Variegated medium green and creamy white. Standard.
I love this plant. Sparkling, long-lasting flowers and beautiful foliage!
Shirl's Hawaiian Lei
Shirl's Hawaiian Lei (9372) 09/30/2004 (S. Sanders) Single purple pansy/white eye. Variegated medium green and white, heart-shaped. Miniature (TX Hyb) This cultivar is temperature/season sensitive. It will bloom pure white in cool growing conditions.
This one has sported to solid purple, which is, from what I have been told, is common.
Shirl's Red Sky
Growth type: Miniature; Flower: Single deep pink/red pansy with white eye; Foliage: Dark green, variegated, pointed; Hybridiser: S Sanders, AVSA #9374. Size of the “white eye” varies based on temperature.
Shy Blue
Fantastic, double blooms of light blue, enhance the dark green foliage, nicely variegated in white. This variety grows with excellent symmetry and is a constant bloomer. AVSA Reg. #7989 (LLG)
I have read that blooming and variegation can be difficult. I’ve kept mine in a humidity case, and in those conditions, it has been unproblematic.
Sky Jems
miniature African violet cultivar known for its simple, wavy, purple star-shaped flowers and distinctly variegated "girl" type foliage.
(Photo from Google, will be replaced when mine blooms)
SK First Love
(SK Pervaya Lyubov) Microminiature with profuse deep fuchsia-red semidouble bells. Very tiny, glossy, dark green and red-backed foliage. (Kuznetsov)
SM Letnie Sumerki
(SM Summer Twilight)
Летние Сумерки (10082) 08/07/2009 (K. Morev) Double lavender-violet large/white eye, edge. Variegated medium green and white, plain. Standard.
Love this one!!!
Stormy Rage
Double stars of dark blue are eye-catching above dark green foliage, variegated in pink and cream tones. AVSA Reg. #9199 (LLG)
Sugar Plum Dream
(9201) 02/03/2003 (Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses/Sorano) Single white sticktite pansy/dark purple-red patches. Variegated medium green and ivory, plain. Standard
Sun Sizzle
Sun Sizzle (S. Sorano) 2012 (SAVA #2012-041) Standard - Large, medium green, quilted foliage Single to semi-double large fuchsia star with a white wavy edge
No longer in my collection - After a very good bloom, it crashed. I am not sure why, but I was worried about pests, so let it go.
Teeny Bopper
Single purple, bell shaped flower. Pointed, tiny. Miniature trailer. (vintage) AVSA Reg. #5017 (LLG)
This is another micro-mini that does better in high humidity. For me, the flowers are much larger and more numerous in a humidity case.
Toy Castle
Hybridizer: Lyndon Lyon
Semiminiature, Double white and lilac-purple pansy blossoms adorn the very dark green, white variegated foliage.
Vallerta Campanas Moradas
(G.Beck) Single dark purple bell. Dark green/red back. Miniature trailer.
VaT Star Race
Large semidouble to double blue star, with pink fantasy streaks and Geneva edge. Variegated dark green and white. Standard. (T. Valkova).
Vi Butterfly Parade
semiminiature, simple, wasp style blossoms atop nicely shaping dark green variegated girl foliage.
Watermelon Bay
(9203) (Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses/Sorano) Semidouble blue-purple star/white frilled edge. Dark green, pointed, pebbled/red back.. Semiminiature
ZSX Chimes At Midnight
The description on the Dew Violet website when I bought it was: “Single white star with light blue thumbprints splashed with pink puff fantasy markings. Foliage - Medium green. Miniature.”
Flowers are very variable. For more photos click here