Saintpaulia – White Mini African Violet

Compact, charming, and endlessly blooming, the White Mini African Violet produces neat rosettes of soft green leaves and delicate pure-white flowers that brighten any indoor space. Its small size makes it ideal for windowsills, desks, and plant shelves, where it can flower on and off throughout the year with the right care.

Scientific Name
Saintpaulia ionantha (commonly used in horticulture; now reclassified as Streptocarpus ionanthus, section Saintpaulia)

Synonyms
Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia; Streptocarpus ionanthus (sect. Saintpaulia)

Common Name
African Violet, Mini African Violet

Origin
Native to the cloud forests of Tanzania and south-eastern Kenya.

Light
Prefers bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light may prevent flowering. A north- or east-facing windowsill is ideal, or use grow lights in darker rooms.

Water
Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Water from the bottom where possible to avoid splashing the fuzzy leaves. Allow the top of the compost to just dry before watering again. Use room-temperature water only.

Humidity
Enjoys moderate humidity. Avoid misting directly onto leaves; instead, place on a pebble tray with water to increase moisture around the plant.

Soil
Use a light, free-draining mix with added perlite. African violet–specific compost blends are perfect. Repot every 1–2 years into a slightly larger pot, but avoid oversizing.

Food
Feed every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer with a high-potash liquid fertiliser to encourage blooms. Reduce feeding in winter.

Temperature
Thrives between 18–24°C. Protect from cold drafts and keep away from unheated windowsills in winter.

Pet-safe
Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Sprouts Top Tips
Rotate the pot a little each week so the rosette stays even and compact, as African violets naturally grow towards the light.

Extras
With the right care, mini African violets can flower almost continuously, bringing year-round colour in a very small footprint.