African Violets are delightful houseplants and will brighten up any room with their purple, pink, or white colors.
Growing African Violet Plants: Watering, Light, Repotting, and Pests
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Planting
How to Plant African Violets
- You can use an actual African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil, as long as it is well-draining. Here’s how to create your own mix.
- Keep African violets planted in small pots and repot every few years to mix in fresh soil. Being a bit pot-bound encourages African violets to bloom more, so don’t be too quick to give them more space.
- The soil should be loose and well-draining; high organic matter content is a plus. Learn about organic soil amendments.
- When repotting African violets, don’t plant them any deeper than they were already planted, and be careful not to bury the crown. African violets’ stems can be susceptible to rot if kept too moist.
Growing
How to Care for African Violets
Watering
- Keep the soil lightly moist, but be careful not to overwater, as African violets’ soft stems are very susceptible to rot. Learn more about proper watering and care.
- Use room-temperature water, as chilled water can leave marks on the leaves.
- Leaves are susceptible to rot and fungal spots if kept in high humidity, so water African violets from the bottom to avoid getting excess water on the foliage.
Lighting
- African violets prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight and keep them at least a few feet away from bright south- or west-facing windows. An east- or north-facing window gives them the best lighting without the risk of burning their sensitive foliage.
- Artificial lighting works well, too. Use fluorescent or LED bulbs to supplement natural lighting.
- Thin, dark green leaves and leggy stems tell you the plant is getting too little light; light green or bleached leaves indicate too much light.
Fertilizing
- During the active growing season (spring and summer), fertilize every 2 weeks with a high-phosphorous plant food. Only start fertilizing when the plant appears to need an extra boost (slow, thin growth; pale or yellowing leaves).
- Over-fertilizing is a more common problem than under-fertilizing since most soil mixes come infused with plenty of nutrients.
General African Violet Care
- According to Julie Weisenhorn, an Extension educator at the University of Minnesota, “If you are comfortable, your African violet is comfortable. Optimal room temperature for growing African violets is between 60°F and 80°F and ideally 70°F.” However, some are more tolerant of cooler conditions. In any case, keep them away from drafty windows in winter.
- Plants should be shifted to larger pots as they grow, but keeping African violets slightly root-bound can encourage them to bloom. One sign that your violet needs repotting is wilted leaves.
- The fuzzy leaves have a tendency to collect dust and dirt. Brush them off gently with a small, soft-bristled paintbrush.
For more information on African violets, visit the website of the African Violet Society of America.
Hundreds of varieties and hybrids exist, from miniature violets to trailing varieties! They differ mainly in the colors of their flowers, which range from white to purple, though some varieties also have variegation in their foliage and flowers.
African violets are typically classified by size, based on how wide they grow:
- Miniature: less than 8 inches across
- Standard: 8–16 inches across
- Large: more than 16 inches across
Catherine Boeckmann
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Repot the plant in clean african viloet potting mix; water ; put in indirect sunlight;
My plant is almost 50 years old. From the original plant that I received from a friend, two off-shoots have grown in the same pot. It is a bit crowded, but they all seem healthy and bloom almost constantly. I have also started a couple of new plants from the "cut-leaf" system.
My mom and I both have numerous violets, and they do well! I was surprised nothing was said about propagation - it's so simple! Take a "mama leaf" from the middle ring of leaves and stick it in moist soil. Cover with a small jar to make a green house, and before long, and new plant should grow! One leaf I had grew 6 baby plants all at once! (If you use a "grandma leaf" from the outside edge, it's much slower to grow a new plant, or may do nothing at all.)
Also, I get mine to bloom by watering with eggshell water. Boil eggshells in water for 10 - 20 minutes, then strain and cool. Use the water on your violets. Works amazingly well! My mother in law also says to feed them a bit of sugar.
I too placed a violet leaf in african violet soil and now have 4 or 5 new plants. I am not sure how to separate them. Is there some book with info on violets that would tell me how to do this and maintain them. I will try your eggshell water.
Thank you
I received a plant recently, The leaves are drooping over the pot. Doesn't look healthy to me. What should I do?
Try watering it often... It worked for me
I have a huge plant. The stem is very thick and is pushing up from the large double pot. It falls over. Can I cut the root shorter? I really no nothing about these plants, it was a gift and it keeps on giving. Just finished flowered the most flowers yet. Probably a good 5 years old.
I have a plant that is two african violets growing in the same pot. There is alot of exposed root. Should I attempt to separate the two or just put in a bigger pot and get as much of the root (where leaves have grown and been pulled off) in the soil. They are growing nicely - but more vertically than horizontally - the plants look like they are back to back.
I repotted my violet a few weeks ago and every since she has been droopy and the edges of the leaves are curling what have I done wrong an what can I do too help it??
I sent for a plant last year in August it arrived as a small plant i planted it & its never grown never done anything i got some fresh soil & replanted it its still never done anything. Whats wrong why hasent it grown? I had a lovely plant i moved house & i lost it i had always grown them so it shows i can keep them. Please can you help me.
