Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Gentianaceae
Botanical Name
Exacum affine
Plant Common Name
German Violet, Persian Violet
General Description
Usually grown as an annual, Persian violet is a short-lived tender perennial native to streambanks on Yemenese island of Socotra at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The squared stems are branched and erect with pointed, smooth dark green leaves. The sweetly scented five-petalled flowers are saucer-shaped, violet to blue and sometimes white, with a yellow center.
Persian violet needs a rich soil with good drainage in full sun and performs remarkably better with high humidity. Suitable outdoors in only the warm tropics, this plant is often grown as a tidy houseplant or summer annual container specimen. Water freely and fertilize regularly in the growing season but in winter water sparingly. Smaller growing lavender-blue flowering selections include 'Blue Gem and 'Blue Midget' while 'White Midget' is white flowering.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Cushion/Mound-forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple, Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
