Looking for a dazzling addition to your indoor garden? Red African Violets are some of the most gorgeous flowers that you can keep in your home. With over 20,000 known varieties of this beloved houseplant, there is an endless array of colors and patterns to choose from, but one of the most loved and sought after colors is the red African Violet. From Ma’s Stewed Tomato to Lion’s Red Rocket, we’ve rounded up 13 stunning types of red African violets that are sure to be showstoppers in any home.
13 Types of Red African Violets
Red African violets are a popular choice for indoor gardeners looking to add a pop of color to their space. These plants come in various shades of red, from deep maroons to bright cherry hues. Some varieties even have variegated leaves that provide additional interest beyond the vibrant blooms. Each variety also comes with a different height and width, which will be outlined with each variety below.
1) Ma’s Stewed Tomato
Ma’s Stewed Tomato is a stunning red African violet that boasts of beautiful, deep-red blooms with ruffled edges. This cultivar was named after the hybridizer’s (Ma Vories) love for stewed tomatoes.
The flowers of Ma’s Stewed Tomato are medium-sized and semi-double, making them stand out in any collection. They have dark green leaves that complement their bright blooms perfectly. It is a relatively easy-to-grow variety, but may require some extra care during winter when the air becomes dry due to indoor heating systems.
Ma’s Stewed Tomato is an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced growers who want to add vibrant color and texture to their collections.
2) LE Fire Flower
LE Fire Flower is a stunning red African violet variety that captivates the eye with its fiery blooms. Its velvety flowers pop out against the foliage, making it one of the most sought-after cultivars among collectors.
This variety typically grows up to 6 inches tall and has a spread of around 8 inches. It’s known for producing numerous blooms throughout the year, especially during its peak season from late winter to early spring.
3) Lady in Red
Lady in Red is a stunning red African violet that features ruffled petals with white edges. This cultivar is a popular choice for its vibrant color and delicate appearance. It is a standard-sized African Violet, growing to be between 6 and 18 inches in height and spread.
One of the unique characteristics of Lady in Red is its ability to produce blooms all year round, making it an excellent choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts. To ensure optimal growth, Lady in Red requires consistent watering and fertilization. It’s important to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as too much moisture can lead to root rot.
4) Harmony’s Frilly Girl
Harmony’s Frilly Girl is a beautiful addition to any collection of red African violets. Its unique frilled petals make it stand out among other varieties.
This variety boasts heavily frilled petals in shades of deep red with hints of purple and pink. Harmony’s Frilly Girl is a semi-miniature African violet, meaning it tends to stay compact and grows up to 6 inches tall. It has a moderate growth rate and produces multiple blooms on each stem.
This plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soaking wet, as overwatering can lead to root rot. To keep your Harmony’s Frilly Girl healthy and blooming, fertilize regularly with an African Violet-specific fertilizer.
5) Optimara Arkansas
Optimara Arkansas is a stunning red African violet that boasts bold and vibrant blooms. This variety of African violet is a hybrid of the Optimara Little Hopi and Optimara Rosalind, resulting in a beautiful combination of colors.
The leaves of the Optimara Arkansas are dark green with a slight silver sheen, which provides an excellent contrast to the bright red blooms. The flowers bloom in clusters above the foliage, making them stand out even more.
This particular variety of African violet is a standard size, and has been bred to be particularly resilient and easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for those new to growing these plants.
6) Witch Doctor
Witch Doctor is a striking mini-standard sized red African violet that stands out due to its unique coloration. Its petals are mostly dark red, but they have an interesting pattern of white veins running through them, giving the flower an almost mystical appearance.
This plant blooms prolifically and produces flowers throughout the year, making it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy colorful blooms all year round. It typically grows up to 6 inches in height and has a spread of about 8-10 inches.
Witch Doctor is also known for being relatively easy to care for compared to some other types of African violets. It prefers bright but indirect light and well-draining soil that stays consistently moist.
7) Jolly Texan
This variety of the African violet was first introduced in 1975 by Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses. Jolly Texan has velvety leaves that are dark green and red, making it a favorite among collectors. It is a semi-miniature African Violet, typically growing to be 6 inches high and wide.
The Jolly Texan’s flowers bloom in clusters above the foliage, adding to its visual appeal. The petals of this variety are frilly and ruffled with bright red hues, which make them stand out from other varieties of African violets.
One unique feature about Jolly Texan is that it can produce multiple flower stalks at once, giving you an abundance of blooms to enjoy throughout the growing season. With proper care and attention, this plant can bloom all year round.
8) LE-Karusel
This stunning plant has velvety, dark green leaves with delicate white edges that make the deep red blooms stand out. The LE-Karusel’s flowers are small but have multiple layers of petals, which give them a frilly appearance. The blossoms cluster at the top of long stems that reach up to six inches in height, creating an eye-catching display. It is a standard sized AV, growing to a height and spread of 6-18 inches.
To get the most out of your LE-Karusel, it should be planted in well-draining soil and kept in bright indirect light. Watering should be done carefully to avoid overwatering or underwatering, as either can damage this sensitive plant.
One interesting fact about the LE-Karusel is its name originates from its resemblance to a carousel horse when viewed from above. But don’t let its dainty appearance fool you – this little beauty is tough and resilient if given proper care.
9) Lion’s Red Rocket
Lion’s Red Rocket is an African violet cultivar that boasts large, vibrant red flowers with ruffled edges. Its blooms are the perfect choice for adding a pop of color to any room in your home or office.
This variety gets its name from its tall and straight stems that shoot up like a rocket. The Lion’s Red Rocket can grow up to 12 inches tall, making it one of the taller African violet varieties available. Additionally, this plant tends to bloom heavily and frequently throughout the year if given proper care.
10) Dance of Fire
Dance of Fire is a stunning red African violet with unique and eye-catching features. Its velvety leaves are bright green, while its flowers come in various shades of red, from deep burgundy to fiery orange. The petals are also ruffled and frilly, adding an extra touch of elegance.
This type of African violet prefers bright but indirect light and moist soil that drains well. It’s essential to keep the plant away from windows where it can be exposed to direct sunlight or drafts.
One important thing to note about Dance of Fire is that it’s susceptible to crown rot, a condition caused by overwatering or poor drainage. To prevent this issue, make sure you allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again. Dance of Fire blooms all year round if given proper care and attention.
11) Little Maya
Little Maya is a stunning semi-miniature variety of red African violet that possesses a unique and vivid coloration. The flowers on this particular plant are small, but they pack an impressive punch with their brilliant ruby-red hue.
The Little Maya variety of red African violets has delicate blooms that add texture to any indoor garden or display. These compact plants have a uniform growth habit that makes them very easy to maintain, making them perfect for novice gardeners.
This type of red African violet can grow up to 8 inches in height with a spread of around 12 inches. It prefers well-draining soil and humid conditions, so it’s best to keep the soil slightly moist while avoiding overwatering.
12) Little Ruby
Little Ruby is a beautiful super-miniature red African violet that boasts vibrant blooms and compact foliage. This variety of African violet is perfect for small spaces like apartments or dorm rooms since it only grows up to 6 inches tall.
The Little Ruby’s leaves are dark green, velvety, and have a beautiful sheen. The flowers bloom in clusters above the foliage and have a bright red color with white edges. These blooms can last for several weeks if properly cared for.
To keep your Little Ruby healthy, make sure to plant it in well-draining soil and water it regularly but not excessively. Place it in an area where it can receive indirect sunlight as direct sunlight may cause its leaves to burn.
This variety of African violet is also easy to propagate by leaf cuttings, allowing you to grow more plants from just one purchase! Little Ruby is an excellent choice for those who love the color red but don’t want a large plant taking up too much space.
13) Pow Wow
Pow Wow is a stunning red African violet that has become increasingly popular among growers for its unique and vibrant blooms. This variety produces beautiful showy flowers with bright red petals that are contrasted by a white center, making it an eye-catching addition to any indoor garden.
One of the most striking features of Pow Wow is its compact growth habit which makes it perfect for growing in small pots or containers. It typically grows to a height of 6-8 inches and spreads up to 10 inches wide, making it ideal for displaying on windowsills or shelves.
Pow Wow’s seasonality and lifespan are similar to other African Violets, blooming throughout the year if provided with adequate lighting conditions. Its blooms can last anywhere from several days up to two weeks depending on environmental factors including temperature, humidity levels, light exposure and watering schedule.
Red African Violets Guide
Many red African Violets fall between the semi-miniature and standard sizes, and most of them require the same care as most other African Violet varieties.
Height and Spread
When it comes to height, the Red African Violet can range from a few inches tall to up to 12 inches. The spread of these plants is just as variable, with some varieties spreading out wide while others remain more compact.
The Ma’s Stewed Tomato is a compact plant that typically grows up to 6-8 inches in height and spreads out around 10-12 inches when fully mature. On the other hand, the LE Fire Flower can grow much taller, reaching heights of up to 12-14 inches.
It’s important to consider the size of your pot or container when choosing which type of red African Violet you want. If you have limited space available, then opting for a variety with a smaller spread like the Little Maya or Little Ruby may be your best choice.
Some varieties like Lady in Red are known for their prolific bloomers despite their small size. Others like Dance of Fire have larger blooms but require slightly more space due to their bigger growth habits.
Seasonality and Lifespan
The blooming period for red African violets can vary depending on the species, but generally lasts from late winter to early summer. As with any plant, lifespan can depend on several factors such as proper care and growing conditions. Red African violets have an average lifespan of around 3-5 years when grown indoors under good conditions, but some African Violets are known to be over 30 years old with impeccable care!
It’s important to note that certain varieties may have shorter or longer lifespans than others due to genetic differences or environmental factors such as light exposure and temperature fluctuations.
To extend the lifespan of your red African violet, make sure they receive adequate water and nutrients while avoiding overwatering which can lead to root rot. Additionally, following an African Violet care guide can give your AV a much better chance at having a longer, happier life.
Blooms
The blooms of the Red African Violet typically last for several weeks before they start to fade, but with proper care, these plants can continue producing new buds throughout the year. Some varieties are well known because their blooms last much longer than typical AV varieties.
In order to encourage more blooms on your Red African Violet plant, you may need to pinch off any spent or dead flowers. This will allow the plant to focus its energy on developing new buds rather than wasting resources on maintaining old ones.
How to Care For Red African Violets
Taking care of your red African violets is essential to keep them alive and blooming throughout the year. Here are some tips on how to take care of these lovely plants.
First and most important, make sure that your violet is placed in a spot with bright but indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, while too little light can prevent it from developing blooms.
Next, water your plant regularly but avoid overwatering. These plants prefer moist soil rather than wet roots. Use a moisture meter to let you know when your plant needs more water, don’t rely on a weekly schedule, because several factors can alter how often your plant needs water.
Fertilizing your African Violet is important to get as many blooms as possible, and to help your plant stay happy and healthy. Opting for an African Violet plant food will ensure that your AV gets all the nutrients it needs without risking fertilizer burn, as this plant can die quickly from it.
Repot your plant once a year or when you notice overcrowding in its container, or if you begin to see roots growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of its current pot. Use a potting mix specifically designed for African violets and add fresh soil around the root ball before watering thoroughly.
Maintain good air circulation by placing small fans near the plant or opening windows periodically to provide fresh air flow within the room where they are kept. This will help prevent diseases from moving in and calling your plant home, and it is a way to help prevent some pests from invading your plant, too!
Following these simple tips will help ensure that your red African violets stay healthy and beautiful all year round!
Are Red Violets Toxic
Red African violets are not toxic to humans or pets, unlike the common belief that they are. It’s safe to keep these blooming beauties in your home without worrying about any harmful effects on you and your furry friends.
However, like all plants, it’s important to handle them with care. The sap of a red violet can cause skin irritation for some individuals if they come into contact with it. So, make sure to wear gloves when handling them just in case.
Additionally, pesticides or fertilizers used on the plant may pose a risk if ingested by pets or young children. It’s crucial to read labels carefully and follow instructions when using any chemical products around the plant. Opt for more natural remedies to your plant’s ailments if you can.
While red african violets aren’t toxic themselves, proper care and caution must be taken when handling them as well as when using chemicals around them.
FAQs African Violets
How many species of African violet are there?
While the exact number is not known, it is estimated that there are around 20 to 30 different species.
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