Originally discovered in what is now Tanzania, the first African violet seeds were shipped to the United States in 1894. Today, the flower has become a favorite house plant throughout the world, with tens of thousands of varieties offering a dazzling array of color combinations and designs. Their thick, fuzzy leaves and abundant blooms in soft tones of violet, purple, pink, and white make them very attractive. Numerous varieties and hybrids are available. African violets grow best in indirect sunlight.