African violet, (genus Saintpaulia), genus of six species of flowering plants in the family Gesneriaceae native to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa. African violets are common houseplants, especially Saintpaulia ionantha, and can thrive in low light conditions and bloom throughout the year. Hundreds of horticultural varieties have been developed for their various flower colours and shapes, including half-sized miniatures.

The members of Saintpaulia are small perennial herbs with thick, hairy, ovate leaves. These dark green leaves have long petioles (leaf stems) and are arranged in a basal cluster at the base of the plant. The violet-like flowers are bilaterally symmetric with five petals and can be violet, white, or pink in colour. The tiny seeds are produced in a capsule. The plants are easily propagated from leaf cuttings.

This mix includes standard size plants, some with leaf variegation or bicolor markings on flowers.

 Moisten your seed starting mix with tap water or reverse osmosis (RO) water. If it gets too wet add more dry mix. Then put the moist mix in a deli container or small pot so that the mix is around 1 inch deep. Keep the mix covered and moist until you sow the seeds. Sow seeds on surface and do not cover.  Cover container with plastic wrap or a clear lid and place in a warm, well lighted place.  The seeds need light to germinate.  You should see seedlings in about 2 weeks. Start feeding once per week with half strength fertilizer when the first true leaves appear.  Use a tray to water from below or a bulb syringe to water from above.  Do not let the leaves get wet.