African violets come in three sizes: Standards, Semi-miniature, and Miniatures (minis). This makes reference to their size only.

Standards are most popular African Violet houseplant can grow 10” to 12" in diameter (4 to 5 rows of leaves). They grow well in 4” sized pots. These plants are attractive and provide a good backdrop for their beautiful blossoms. Comparing these same plants when grown for show exhibition, they can reach a diameter of 18” to 24”.

Miniatures grow to less than 6" in diameter. These plants are always in a pot of no more than 2½” size. The growing care for miniatures is the same as for any standard African Violet.

Semi miniatures grow to less than 8" in diameter. These plants are always in a pot of no more than 2½” size. The growing care for semi miniatures is the same as for any standard African Violet.

Trailers are African Violets that genetically grow multiple crowns and produce an abundance of foliage and blossoms. They tend to spread out thus taking up more space but compensate by giving an abundance of beauty when in bloom. The growing care for trailers is the same as for any standard African Violet.

Chimeras are African Violet plants that have definite pin-wheel striped blossoms. Propagation is different as it must be done with “crown” cuttings or “sucker” cuttings as these tend to share the same genetic properties as the mother plant; whereas leaf cuttings do not. The chimeras usually are more expensive to purchase as there is more involvement in producing new plants. Growing care for chimeras is the same as for any standard African Violet.

Bustle Back foliage consists of a larger leaf with two smaller leaves located at the base of the bigger leaf. This is also referred to as piggy-backed, compound, or wasp bustle.

Fantasy is where the violet blossom is one solid colour with an overlay of small amounts of colour in the form of dots, puffs, lines, or swirls of one or two other colours. They can be found in standards, miniatures, semi miniatures, and trailers.