The African violet is the classic flowering windowsill plant — a compact rosette of velvety leaves that, kept happy, carries clusters of purple, pink, or white blooms almost continuously. It fell out of fashion as a fusty windowsill plant and has quietly come back, and the care that once seemed fussy is really just a few firm rules.
The rules are about water: use tepid, never cold, water; keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy; and keep drops off the fuzzy leaves, which spot permanently. Bright indirect light and a snug pot — it blooms best slightly root-bound — do the rest. A single leaf pushed into soil will root and make a whole new plant, which is half the fun.
Bright indirect light, such as a north or east window, keeps it blooming; too little light and it makes leaves but no flowers. No harsh direct sun.
Water from below with tepid water, or water the soil directly — never splash the fuzzy leaves, which spot and rot from water and cold drops
Low — keep to a consistent rhythm and don't let it dry out hard.
Non-toxic and safe around cats, dogs, and children.
Water from below with tepid water; keep leaves dry
Feed with a dilute African violet fertiliser to keep it blooming
Pinch off spent flowers and tired outer leaves to keep it tidy and blooming
Leaves but no flowers usually means too little light
Refresh the soil in the same snug pot — it blooms best slightly root-bound