Plant guide
African Violet
Streptocarpus ionanthus
African violet is considered non-toxic to cats. This guide covers Streptocarpus ionanthus, formerly Saintpaulia ionantha. Non-toxic does not mean edible; chewing plants can still cause stomach upset.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Streptocarpus ionanthus, formerly Saintpaulia ionantha. The cat assessment uses the ASPCA’s broader Saintpaulia group listing and the documented placement of this species within that group. It does not assess all Streptocarpus species or unidentified interspecific hybrids.
Photo:
Photo details
Saintpaulia ionantha.jpg
By RobertoMM
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Streptocarpus ionanthus
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Gesneriaceae
- Also known as
- Saintpaulia ionantha
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Streptocarpus ionanthus.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Use bright, filtered light away from strong direct sun.
- Watering
- Let the mix partly dry
Wait until the surface dries, then water without wetting the leaves or crown. Use water that is not cold. Bottom watering is an option; drain any excess.
- Temperature
- Growing range: 60–80°F / 16–27°C
Avoid nights below 60°F (16°C).
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Humid air supports growth; keep moisture off the foliage.
- Potting
- Use a light, fast-draining mix and keep the crown above the soil surface to reduce the risk of crown rot.
- Through the year
- Remove old leaves as needed.
Growing-guide sources
- streptocarpus ionanthus - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- African Violet ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed
Listed by the source as Saintpaulia spp.. ASPCA explicitly assesses Saintpaulia spp. as non-toxic to cats. Kew places Saintpaulia ionantha H.Wendl. in synonymy with Streptocarpus ionanthus (H.Wendl.) Christenh. The named historical species is a member of the assessed Saintpaulia group. This is a documented narrowing of group evidence, not synonymy between an entire genus and one species, and not safety evidence for all Streptocarpus or interspecific hybrids.
- Streptocarpus ionanthus and Saintpaulia ionantha synonymy ↗Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — Plants of the World Online · Accessed 2026-10-12
- African Violet — literal Saintpaulia spp. cat assessment ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed 2026-10-12
Safety last reviewed .