Persian Violet

Persian Violet Care

Exacum affine

What is the plant

Persian violet is not yet often found in home collections because of its tenderness and grace. The advantages of the plant include its compactness and the very bright colors of the anthers, but there is also a disadvantage - a short lifespan, only 1-2 years.

Exacum affine, known as the Persian violet, belongs to the primrose family and comes, as the name implies, from Persia in the Middle East. Its distribution also covers the Alps of Europe. Rocky areas are their natural habitat. It is a small herbaceous biennial plant with dark green, ovate leaves and small violet flowers with the center that releases fragrance.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

17°C - 19°C

Hardiness zone

min 10a

Difficulty

Hard

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water generously to keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Persian violet needs high humidity, so spray the leaves daily. Also, the plant will benefit from a humidifier placed next to it.
Pruning
Cut the faded flowers after blooming to avoid the consumption of nutrients.
Fertilizer
Exacum affine does not need additional feeding because of a short period of life.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
The plant needs good lighting but not excessive, as flowering will end very quickly in the sun, and the plant will dry out. The western or eastern windows are ideal for it. In summer, place the Persian violet outdoors.
Soil
The soil mixture should be slightly acidic or neutral. A ready-made universal soil for decorative flowering plants is suitable for this plant. Be sure to put drainage at the bottom.
Propagation
Propagate Exacum affine slowly by seeds ensuring enough moisture and warmth or, much better - by cuttings placed in the sand with moderate bottom heat.

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Temperature
The Persian violet prefers average temperatures between 62 and 68 ˚F (17 and 20 ˚C).
Container
Exacum affine prefers small pots rather than flower pots.
Fun fact
Many famous historical figures have admired this plant, for example, Leonardo da Vinci, Louis XIV, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.