The term "standard African violet" is used as a general description of any African violet which when fully-grown is over eight inches in diameter. When you hear the term "Standard" used by violet growers you know that it is a larger one although not necessarily huge. The term is used in African violet classification and is also used in class descriptions in African violet shows to specify the size and that any plant entered there must be classified as a standard in official lists.

The example above is a winner from a show and is definitely over eight inches in diameter. This violet is called Von's Moon Shadows. You will see it again when you visit the Standards page.

To see other African violets in that size range, visit our Standards gallery page.

The term "miniature" African violet is used as a general description of any African violet which when fully-grown tends to stay under six inches in diameter. They can be extremely tiny, but six inches is the maximum allowed in a show. Special classes exist in African violet shows for miniatures and the plants entered there must be classified on official lists as miniatures.

The example above is a winner from a show and is definitely under six inches in diameter. This violet is called Rob's June Bug. You will see it again when you visit the Miniatures page.

To see African violets in that size range, visit our Miniatures gallery page.

The term "semiminiature" African violet is used as a general description of any African violet which when fully-grown tends to stay under eight inches in diameter. They can be somewhat variable, but eight icnhes is the maximum allowed in a show. Special classes exist in African violet shows for semiminiatures and the plants entered there must be classified on official lists as semiminiatures.

The example above is a winner from a show and is definitely under eight inches in diameter.  This violet is called Aca's Eloise. You will see it again when you visit the Semiminiatures page.

To see African violets in that size range, visit our Semiminiatures gallery page.

The expression "Other Gesneriads" is used to describe other members of the plant family called Gesneriaceae. The African violet (Saintpaulia in botanical terms) is but one member of the group. Like most other African violet growers everywhere, most of us at Lakeshore AVS grow other gesneriads.

You will find examples in the Other Gesneriads gallery. We think you will be amazed when you see the enormous variations within the group.