African violets & gesneriads — Gesneriaceae

Most african violets & gesneriads are pet-safe. Of the 266 african violets & gesneriads we cover, 227 are non-toxic on the ASPCA list and 39 carry a toxic or mildly-toxic rating. Even in a mostly-safe family, confirm the individual species before trusting it around pets.

Most african violets & gesneriads want bright, indirect light — 232 of the 266 in our library do best there. If yours stretches toward the window or loses its variegation it needs more light; scorched or bleached leaves mean it is getting too much.

African violets & gesneriads are moderate to grow: the one real requirement is a genuinely bright spot out of harsh midday sun. Get the light right and most of the rest of their care follows.

The Gesneriaceae family — the african violets & gesneriads — groups 266 species across 13 genera in the Growli library, most prominently Streptocarpus, Sinningia, Columnea. Members share a broadly similar light, water and soil pattern, which is why it pays to learn the family before the individual plant.