From a botanical perspective, the most fundamental distinction among African Violet (Saintpaulia) varieties lies in their growth habit, which dictates the plant's overall form and structure. The two primary types are the standard rosette and the trailing variety. The standard rosette type grows from a single, central crown. Its leaves radiate outwards in a symmetrical, circular pattern, creating a classic, compact mound. This growth form is the most common and is what most people envision when they think of an African Violet. In contrast, trailing varieties have multiple crowns that develop along a central stem. Instead of growing in a tight, symmetrical circle, these crowns send out stems and leaves in various directions, creating a cascading or spreading habit. This makes them exceptionally well-suited for hanging baskets, where their layered, multi-crowned growth can be fully appreciated.
The foliage of African Violets exhibits remarkable diversity, providing a key means of identification and classification even when the plant is not in bloom. Leaves are primarily categorized by their type, shape, and variegation.
2.1 Leaf Type: The most common leaf type is the plain or standard leaf, which has a smooth, even surface. Conversely, quilted leaves have a puffy, raised tissue between the veins, giving them a textured, padded appearance. Girl-type leaves are characterized by a distinct, pale green or white marking (a scallop or blotch) at the base of the leaf where it meets the petiole. Additionally, some varieties feature serrated or scalloped leaf edges, adding another layer of textural interest.
2.2 Leaf Variegation: Variegation refers to patterns of white, cream, yellow, or pink on the leaves. This occurs due to mutations that cause some plant cells to lack chlorophyll. Types of variegation include Tommie Lou variegation (named for a famous hybridizer), which presents as a consistent white or cream edge around the leaf. Crown variegation appears as splashes of color concentrated on new leaves emerging from the crown. Mosaic or chimeras variegation is a rare and unstable form with random, splashed patterns across the leaf surface.
The flowers are, for many, the main attraction of African Violets, and their morphological variations are extensive. They are classified by type, form, and color pattern.
3.1 Flower Type: The classic African Violet flower has five petals—two small upper petals and three larger lower petals. A significant distinction is between single and double flowers. Single flowers have a standard set of five petals. Semi-double flowers feature extra, smaller petaloids in the center, while full double blooms are so packed with petals they resemble a small rose. There are also unusual forms like the wasp-type flower, which has fully separated, tubular petals that give a star-like or insect-like appearance.
3.2 Flower Form and Edge: The shape of the petals can vary. The most common is the plain, rounded petal, but some varieties feature frilled, fluted, or deeply ruffled edges, creating a fuller, more dramatic bloom. The edge of the petal may also be a different color, a characteristic known as a geneva edge, typically appearing as a white rim.
3.3 Flower Color and Pattern: African Violet blooms come in virtually every color except pure yellow and pure black. Beyond solid colors, complex patterns are highly prized. These include bicolor flowers, where the top and bottom petals are different shades. Fantasy flowers are speckled or splashed with a contrasting color. Chimera violets are a special category where the flower color is streaked or pin-striped due to a genetic mutation involving two distinct types of tissue growing adjacent to each other; this trait can only be propagated from suckers or leaf vein cuttings, not from standard leaf cuttings.
African Violets are also categorized by their mature diameter, which is a practical consideration for growers with limited space. The classifications are: Micro-miniature (under 3 inches in diameter), Miniature (3-6 inches), Semi-miniature (6-8 inches), Standard (8-16 inches), and Large (over 16 inches). This size refers to the span of the leaf rosette, not the height of the flowers. This range allows collectors to maintain a diverse array of plants even in a small indoor garden.
