African violetsare one of the world’s most popular houseplants and for good reason.
These compact, low-growing plants flower several times a year.
They are available in a multitude of leaf forms and colors.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Don’t be put off by their reputation for difficulty.
Providing you follow a few simple rules, African violet care is easy.
Keep water from touching their leaves or brown spots may develop.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Remove dead flowers and leaves to encourage a healthier plant.
Regularly check the soil for excess moisture, which leads to root rot.
Don’t be discouraged if your African violets suffer some damageit’s all part of the process.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Light
African violets do well in bright but notdirect sunlight.
They are commonly grown under fluorescent lights placed 12 to 15 inches above the leaves.
Soil
A well-drained potting mix is essential for African violets.
Dr. Paul Overy / Science Photo Library / Getty Images
Water
Keep soil moist with warm water and strive for high humidity.
Use a moisture meter to determine how often to water instead of watering on a set schedule.
Do not allow water to communicate with the leaves of the plant to prevent damage.
Water from below, or push the water spout into the soil when watering.
Don’t allow the plant to sit in water.
Temperature and Humidity
African violets like warm and humid conditions and thrive at 70 degrees.
Do not allow the temperature to fall below about 60 degrees.
Keep the plants away from any drafts in the home.
Fertilizer
Feed with an African violet fertilizer every other week during the spring and summer.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
Their flowers come in different colors, and the plants have widely varied leaf shapes.
They come in both single-crown and also multi-crown, trailing plants.
These are just a few examples.
Is This the Right Plant for You?
AN AFRICAN VIOLET IS A GOOD CHOICE IF:
Pruning
Carefully remove any dead leaves.
Pruning Tip
No pruners?
Propagating African Violets
African violetscan be propagated from leaf cuttingsor offsets.
It is fairly easy to propagate from a leaf from an adult plant.
Here’s how:
Adult plants occasionally produce small plantlets or shoots from the side.
Remove these and pot up independently.
Removing them also encourages better blooms on the parent plant.
Only plant up to where they were originally planted, and do not cover the crown of the plant.
Keep an eye out and repot the plant if you think it’ll help.
Common Pests and Diseases
African violets can be affected by common pests and diseases.
How to Get African Violets to Bloom
These plants can bloom year-round when healthy.
Provide them with the proper light, water, humidity, fertilizer, and soil.
Hopefully, you’ll see new blooms in about six weeks.
Simply brush them off gently with a soft-bristled brush.
Misting African violets is not a good idea.
Move African violets to a more humid part of your home.
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Growing African Violets.
University of Georgia Extension.
