Finding Rare and Beautiful Large African Violets for Sale

African violets are cherished houseplants that have captivated indoor gardeners for generations with their colorful blooms and easy care nature, And large African violets truly take these petite plants to the next level Their substantial size and prolific flowers make them the superstars of any plant collection

But locating these larger than life African violets for sale can be tricky for shoppers, Large 4 inch and 6 inch African violets are rare compared to the more readily available mini 2 inch varieties And only a few specialized online nurseries regularly stock these oversized beauties

In this article, I’ll highlight tips for tracking down large African violets for sale online and what makes these big violets worth hunting for!

What Classifies as a Large African Violet?

First, let’s clarify exactly what constitutes a “large” African violet. African violets come in a range of sizes:

• Miniature: 1-2 inches in diameter
• Standard: Around 4 inches in diameter
• Large: Approximately 6+ inches in diameter

So the 4 inch and bigger varieties fall into the large category. These larger plants feature bigger leaves, taller growth, and an overall more substantial appearance compared to petite mini violets.

Some specific cultivars known for growing big are:

• Rhapsodie Michele
• Optimara Joker
• Rob’s Aussie Girl
• Optimara Holiday

So when searching for large African violets for sale, look for listings specifying 4, 6, or 8 inch sizes. This indicates you’re getting a legitimately jumbo violet.

Benefits of Large Size African Violets

What makes these oversized African violets so special? Here are some of the perks of large violets:

• Bountiful blooms: The bigger foliage can support dozens of huge flowers at once.

• Higher visual impact: A large violet makes a bolder statement in a room than mini varieties.

• Easier care: Larger plants are more forgiving if you occasionally skip watering.

• Lasting landscape: A big violet can live for decades vs just a few years for smaller ones.

• Conversation starter: The sheer size of a large African violet generates curiosity and compliments.

So if you want maximum flower power and leaves that really make a statement, a jumbo African violet is the way to go!

Where to Find Large African Violets for Sale Online

Finding these special large African violets takes a bit of searching online. They simply aren’t stocked at big box stores or mainstream plant retailers. Your best sources are small specialty nurseries.

Here are my top recommendations for sites to browse for the biggest and rarest African violet varieties:

Selective Gardener

This niche grower offers gorgeous 4 inch and 6 inch African violets including:

• Rhapsodie Michele – Huge pink and white blooms

• Rob’s Aussie Girl – Vibrant red extra large flowers

• Optimara Joker – Tricolor striped blooms on enormous foliage

They also stock hard-to-find variegated violets.

Buy African Violets

This shop has one of the largest online African violet inventories. They regularly stock popular big violet varieties like:

• Optimara Holiday – Pure white substantial blooms

• Optimara Rogue Valley – Doubles in purple and white

• Rhapsodie Hawaii – Lovely sem-doubles in pink

They offer discounted combo packs too.

Violet Barn

This specialty grower produces many of their own exclusive large hybrids. Some of their largest cultivars include:

• Violet Barn Rachel – Huge double pink blooms

• Violet Barn Taurus – Vibrant purple with green edges

• Violet Barn Neon Lights – Bright neon purple flowers

So this a great source for unique oversized varieties.

Etsy Shops

Etsy has individual sellers offering rare large African violet varieties. Shop listings for key phrases like “large African violet” or specific names like Rhapsodie Michele.

One great Etsy source is The Violet Veranda which stocks many 6 inch and larger plants.

What to Expect to Pay for Large African Violets

Pricing will vary between specific cultivars, but in general expect to pay a premium for these oversized varieties compared to standard 4 inch violets:

• 4 inch violets – $15 to $25
• 6 inch violets – $25 to $45
• Variegated violets – Up to $75 for rare varieties!

But keep in mind these are very special hand selected specimens shipping directly from individual growers. The quality and uniqueness is well worth the investment for serious African violet collectors.

Pro tip: Look for combo deals on sites like Buy African Violets where you can get discounted multi-packs of large violets. This saves significantly versus individual pricing.

How to Care for Your Large African Violet

Caring for a large African violet is essentially the same as for standard smaller violets. Just keep these tips in mind:

• Water from below to keep leaves dry.
• Provide bright indirect light to fuel blooms.
• Use room temperature filtered water.
• Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
• Re-pot annually in a slightly larger container.
• Keep leaves dust-free.

The main difference in care is that larger violets can tolerate slightly longer periods between watering thanks to their bigger water storage in leaves and roots.

But otherwise follow the same basic care guidelines as you would for a mini violet. With a bright window and weekly watering, you can enjoy your big beauty for years to come!

Large African violets are the superstars of the plant world. Their substantial size and voluminous flowers make them must-have show stoppers for any houseplant collection. But tracking down these rare jumbo violets takes some searching online. Specialty vendors like Selective Gardener, Buy African Violets, and Violet Barn are your best sources. Be prepared to pay a bit more for these oversized specimens. But the joy of displaying a stunning 6 inch African violet in full bloom makes the investment wholly worthwhile!