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Gentianaceae
Persian Violet
Exacum affine
Quiet love letters.
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Exacum
- Native to
- Socotra Island, Yemen
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- tender biennial; grown as annual
- Height
- 20–30 cm
- Sunlight
- bright filtered light
- Soil
- fertile, well-drained
- Water
- medium
- Hardiness
- 10–11; houseplant elsewhere
- Lifespan
- biennial
Did you know
- It is endemic to the lonely island of Socotra, off the Horn of Africa, alongside the dragon blood tree.
- Despite the name, it is not related to true violets — it is a gentian relative.
- Each tiny saucer-shaped flower has five petals and a bright yellow central beak of stamens.
- It is one of very few houseplants whose flowers have a clear, sweet honey fragrance.
- After its biennial bloom cycle, the original plant fades — but it self-seeds reliably indoors.
Color meanings
Lavender
thinking of you
White
small honesties
Blue
subtle longing