Plants Similar To African Violets: 7 Easy-Care Alternatives For Fuzzy

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Do you adore the fuzzy leaves and cheerful, year-round blooms of African Violets? They are truly the darlings of the indoor plant world. But maybe you’re ready to expand your collection, or perhaps you’ve found them just a tad fussy and are looking for something with a similar vibe but a more forgiving nature.

If you’re nodding along, you’ve come to the right place! As a lifelong gardener, I’m here to promise you that the world of houseplants is filled with stunning plants similar to African Violets that capture that same enchanting charm—velvety leaves, compact growth, and dazzling flowers—each with its own unique personality.

Get ready to meet your new favorite houseplant. In this guide, we’ll explore seven incredible alternatives, dive deep into a complete care guide, troubleshoot common problems, and give you all the expert tips you need to grow a thriving, beautiful indoor garden. Let’s find the perfect new companion for your windowsill!

Why Look for Plants Similar to African Violets?

African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) have a special place in our hearts for good reason. Their appeal lies in a perfect combination of features: soft, touchable leaves, a manageable size perfect for small spaces, and the ability to bloom almost continuously in the right conditions.

Exploring alternatives opens up a world of new possibilities. Diversifying your collection not only adds visual interest with different colors and forms but can also make your indoor garden more resilient. Plus, some of these relatives are even easier to care for, making them perfect for beginners!

The primary benefits of plants similar to African Violets include discovering more robust species, enjoying different bloom shapes and foliage patterns, and finding the perfect plant that is better suited to your specific home environment. Many of these plants belong to the same family, Gesneriaceae (ges-nair-ee-AY-see-ee), so they share that familiar charm you already love.

Our Top 7 Plants That Echo the African Violet’s Charm

Ready to meet the family? Here is a curated list of plants that will satisfy your craving for velvety leaves and beautiful blooms. This plants similar to African Violets guide will walk you through each one, highlighting what makes it special.

1. Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) – The Flamboyant Cousin

If you want the African Violet look but dialed up to eleven, Gloxinia is your plant. Its large, velvety, bell-shaped flowers come in breathtakingly rich colors like deep purple, ruby red, and striking bicolors. The leaves are large, soft, and just as fuzzy as their famous cousin.

Care Tips:

  • Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is perfect.
  • Water: Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing and blooming season. Water from the bottom to avoid spotting the leaves and prevent crown rot.
  • Soil: Use a light, well-draining potting mix, like a commercial African Violet soil.

Pro Tip: Gloxinia grows from a tuber and will go dormant after it finishes blooming. Don’t panic and throw it out! Simply reduce watering, allow the foliage to die back, and store the pot in a cool, dark place for 2-3 months. When you see new growth, bring it back into the light and resume care.

2. Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose) – The Prolific Bloomer

Streptocarpus, often called “Streps,” are the overachievers of the Gesneriad family. They produce an endless succession of delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers on long, graceful stems. While some varieties have long, strappy leaves, many modern hybrids form a rosette that looks very much like an African Violet.

Care Tips:

  • Light: Bright, indirect light is essential for good blooming.
  • Water: They are a bit more tolerant of drying out than African Violets. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry.
  • Soil: A very light, airy mix is crucial to prevent root rot.

Pro Tip: To keep the flowers coming, snip off the entire flower stalk at its base once the last bloom on it fades. This signals the plant to produce more flower stems instead of putting energy into seed production.

3. Episcia (Flame Violet) – The Cascading Beauty

While African Violets grow in a neat rosette, Episcia sends out runners, or stolons, creating a stunning cascading effect. This makes them perfect for hanging baskets! Their leaves are the real showstopper—often intricately patterned in silver, pink, or copper, with a wonderfully fuzzy texture. They also produce small, vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in red, orange, or pink.

Care Tips:

  • Light: They appreciate bright, indirect light but need protection from hot sun.
  • Water: They like to stay evenly moist and adore high humidity.
  • Soil: A standard African Violet mix works perfectly.
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Pro Tip: Episcia is one of the easiest plants to propagate! Simply snip off one of the baby plantlets (stolons), pot it up in moist soil, and you have a new plant to keep or share. It’s a fantastic example of sustainable plants similar to African Violets because you can create endless new plants from one parent.

4. Begonia Rex (Painted-Leaf Begonia) – For Foliage Lovers

Okay, let’s talk foliage. While not a Gesneriad, the Rex Begonia shares the African Violet’s preference for similar growing conditions and, most importantly, offers incredibly textured, often fuzzy, and spectacularly colored leaves. The patterns and colors—from metallic silver to deep maroon—are simply out of this world.

Care Tips:

  • Light: Bright, indirect light keeps their colors vibrant.
  • Water: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering. They are prone to rot if overwatered.
  • Humidity: High humidity is a must! They thrive near a humidifier or in a terrarium.

Pro Tip: Avoid misting the leaves directly or getting them wet when you water. Wet leaves combined with stagnant air is a recipe for powdery mildew, a common issue for these beauties.

5. Chirita (Primulina) – The Hardy Alternative

Now reclassified as Primulina, these plants are a hidden gem. They form beautiful rosettes of textured, sometimes patterned, leaves that are incredibly appealing. They produce lovely, trumpet-shaped flowers, often in shades of lavender or white, that float above the foliage. They are known for being more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than African Violets.

Care Tips:

  • Light: They do well in medium to bright indirect light.
  • Water: They are less susceptible to crown rot, making them a great choice for beginners who are still learning how to water properly. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
  • Soil: A well-aerated potting mix is best.

Pro Tip: If you live in a climate with cooler winters, Primulina is an excellent choice as it can handle lower temperatures than many of its tropical relatives.

6. Columnea (Goldfish Plant) – The Quirky Bloomer

Another fantastic trailing Gesneriad for hanging baskets! The Goldfish Plant gets its name from its unique flowers—puffy, tubular blooms in shades of red, orange, and yellow that look just like leaping goldfish. The leaves are small, glossy, and sometimes fuzzy, covering long, cascading stems.

Care Tips:

  • Light: Needs plenty of bright, indirect light to produce its signature flowers.
  • Water: Water thoroughly, then allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again.
  • Soil: A standard, well-draining potting mix is sufficient.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to give your Goldfish Plant a “haircut” after it blooms. Pruning back the stems will encourage bushier growth and more flowers in the next season.

7. Purple Passion Plant (Gynura aurantiaca) – The Velvet Wonder

This plant is all about that incredible texture. Its green leaves are covered in dense, soft, vibrant purple hairs that shimmer in the light, giving it a velvety appearance. It’s a fast-growing vine that is absolutely stunning when its purple tones are brought out by bright light.

Care Tips:

  • Light: The more bright, indirect light you provide, the more intensely purple the foliage will be.
  • Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
  • Soil: Any good quality, all-purpose potting soil will do.

Pro Tip: The small orange flowers this plant produces have a notoriously funky smell. Many gardeners choose to pinch off the flower buds as they appear to direct the plant’s energy into producing more of its spectacular foliage.

A Comprehensive Plants Similar to African Violets Care Guide

While each plant has its quirks, many of these beauties share similar needs. Mastering these plants similar to African Violets best practices will set you up for success with your entire collection.

Getting the Light Just Right

The universal rule for this group is bright, indirect light. Think of the dappled light of a forest floor. An east-facing window that gets gentle morning sun is often ideal. A south- or west-facing window can work if the light is filtered by a sheer curtain to prevent scorching the delicate leaves.

The Secret to Perfect Watering

This is where many new gardeners stumble. The number one rule is: never let water sit on the leaves or in the crown of the plant. This can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Here’s how to plant and water plants similar to African Violets:

  1. Use Room Temperature Water: Cold water can shock the roots and cause leaf spotting.
  2. Try Bottom Watering: Place the pot in a saucer of water for 20-30 minutes and allow the soil to soak up moisture from the bottom. This keeps the foliage dry and encourages deep root growth.
  3. Check the Soil: Don’t water on a schedule. Stick your finger an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s damp, wait another day or two.

Soil and Feeding for Happy Plants

These plants need soil that is light, airy, and well-draining to prevent their fine roots from rotting. A commercial African Violet mix is an excellent choice for most of the plants on our list. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed them with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength every 2-4 weeks.

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Tackling Common Problems with Plants Similar to African Violets

Even with the best care, you might run into an issue or two. Don’t worry! Here’s a quick guide to troubleshooting some common problems with plants similar to African Violets.

Issue #1: Powdery Mildew

This looks like a white, dusty coating on the leaves. It’s often caused by poor air circulation, high humidity, and wet foliage. To fix it, improve airflow around your plants (a small fan can help), water the soil directly, and remove affected leaves.

Issue #2: Leggy Growth

If your plant is getting long and spindly with large gaps between the leaves, it’s begging for more light. Gradually move it to a brighter location to encourage more compact, healthy growth.

Issue #3: Brown, Crispy Leaf Edges

This is a classic sign of low humidity. These plants love moisture in the air. You can increase humidity by grouping your plants together, placing them on a pebble tray filled with water, or using a small room humidifier.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices for Your Collection

Being a “Greeny Gardener” is also about caring for our planet. Embracing eco-friendly plants similar to African Violets involves thoughtful practices. Consider using peat-free potting mixes to protect vital peat bog ecosystems. Propagating and sharing plants with friends is a wonderfully sustainable way to grow your collection without the plastic and transport costs of buying new.

For pest control, start with gentle methods like wiping pests off with a damp cloth or using insecticidal soap or neem oil before reaching for harsh chemicals. These simple steps make your hobby kinder to the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plants Like African Violets

Can I use African Violet fertilizer on these other plants?

Yes, absolutely! Since many of these plants are in the same family (Gesneriaceae), they have very similar nutritional needs. A balanced fertilizer formulated for African Violets, typically with a ratio like 14-12-14, will work wonderfully for Gloxinia, Streptocarpus, Episcia, and their relatives when diluted properly.

Why are my plant’s leaves fuzzy like an African Violet but it won’t bloom?

The most common culprit is insufficient light. While these plants can survive in lower light, they need bright, indirect light to gather enough energy to produce flowers. The second most likely reason is improper fertilizing—either too little or too much. Ensure you’re feeding with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.

Are these plants safe for pets?

This is a crucial question! Many members of the Gesneriad family, including African Violets, Streptocarpus, and Gloxinia, are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. However, others on this list, like Begonia Rex, are toxic. Always double-check the specific plant you are bringing home on the ASPCA’s official plant list to ensure the safety of your furry friends.

What is the easiest African Violet alternative for a complete beginner?

For a true beginner, I would highly recommend a Streptocarpus (Cape Primrose). They are more forgiving about watering than African Violets, bloom profusely, and quickly let you know when they are thirsty with slightly drooping leaves that perk right back up after a drink. They provide all the reward with a little less risk!

Your Indoor Garden Awaits!

The world of houseplants is vast and exciting, and the relatives of the classic African Violet offer so much beauty, texture, and color. Whether you’re drawn to the spectacular blooms of a Gloxinia, the cascading foliage of an Episcia, or the hardy nature of a Primulina, there is a perfect plant out there waiting to brighten your home.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Armed with this plants similar to african violets care guide, you have all the knowledge you need to succeed. So go ahead, pick a new friend for your windowsill and watch your indoor garden flourish.

Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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