Growing African Violets

How to Care for African Violets

African Violets are delightful houseplants and will brighten up any room with their purple, pink, or white colors.

Pennsylvania State University

African violets are small houseplants that produce clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers over fuzzy leaves. Here’s how to care for African violets in your home!

About African Violets

As their name suggests, African violets are native to East Africa, stemming from the tropical rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya. In 1892, German colonial officer Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire identified these plants and sent seeds back to Germany. The genus came to be called Saintpaulia, though the plants have recently been re-categorized into a different genus, Streptocarpus. Despite their common name, they are not a type of violet, but they do produce vivid, violet-colored flowers. Read more about these dainty plants here!

African violets do best and produce the most blooms in bright, indirect light. Though they are generally easy to care for, they can go through fussy spells. Don’t be discouraged!

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-drained, and 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 of the plant. African violets’ stems can be susceptible to rot if kept too moist.

African violet

Care

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.
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 that 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 to fertilize 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 Care

Many varieties prefer warm conditions (65°F/18°C or warmer) though 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.
Blooming issues? Check out our tips on how to make sure your African violets flower.

For more information on African violets, visit the website for the African Violet Society of America at www.avsa.org.

African violet flowers

Pests/Diseases

Cyclamen mites can affect African violets. They are nearly impossible to remove completely, so disposal of the infected plant and isolation of nearby plants is recommended.
Spider mites and can also be an issue.
Powdery Mildew appears as fuzzy white blotches on stems and leaves.
Various forms of rot and blight are also common.

Recommended Varieties

There are hundreds of varieties and hybrids, from miniature violets to trailing varieties! They differ mainly in the colors of their flowers, which range from white to purple, though some varieties have variegation in their foliage and flowers as well.

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

Wit & Wisdom

Violets (Viola)—though unrelated to African violets—are one of the February birth flowers, so a potted African violet can make a bright gift for a February birthday.
The violet symbolizes loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness. Find out more flower symbolism here.

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Reader Comments

Love African Violets!

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.

African Violet

I received a plant recently, The leaves are drooping over the pot. Doesn't look healthy to me. What should I do?

Violet roots

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.

African Violets

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.

My African violet

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??

African Violet

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.

Thank you very much. I really

Thank you very much. I really like your flowers. So beautiful!

Helpful

Hi, I wanted to let you know I found your article about growing African violets very helpful. Thank you, Richard

Blooming

I have two plants that sit right next to each other. They both get watered and fertilized the same but one blooms and the other one wont. Do you have any ideas.

African Violet Not Blooming

Interesting! Are they the same age and size? African violets prefer to be a little bit pot-bound—it can encourage them to bloom. If one of your plants is smaller than the other, perhaps it’s not quite “grown in” enough.

Or, are they different varieties or species? If so, this could explain the difference in care preferences. Try adjusting some aspects of your care for the non-bloomer, such as moving it to a brighter spot, watering less or more, and so on.

african violet plant

My plant has abundant heathy green leaves, no flowers, it has bloomed in the past.
What is wrong with it?

Lighting and Watering

Lack of flowering usually results from a problem with either watering or lighting (or both). First try moving the plant to a brighter location. They prefer bright, indirect light, but may be scorched by direct sunlight, so keep them out of south-facing windows.

If it’s still not blooming, consider fertilizing it with an African violet fertilizer. That may stimulate it to produce flowers!

African violet new plants

I have an AV plant looking strange. Looked under the leaves and found a small single plant..not much of a root just a nub..I barely scraped nub as to take scab off..took plastic wrap and made a small covering several layers... filled wine glass with water, covered top with plastic cover tightly, poked a hole in middle big enough that the nub fits and set plant on it...keep water level up. After a weekish I had a long root, planted it and plant is doing fantastic..I looked just the other day and there were 2 more small plants.. they are on wine glass now..what size pots for the small ones? Won't they grow somewhat? Thank you for reading my story/question!

Moldy soil

I have a healthy looking AV, but it’s soil has white mold growing on it. I keep the soil moist. What should I do about the mold?

Water 2 yr old AV from bottom but drainage water is BROWN.

I have a 2 year old AV (not re-potted) who is NOT happy. New growth around center starts then dies. Water which drains off is BROWN. Keep indoors year round and use a grow light. What is wrong with my plant?

crown rot

It sounds like your plant has crown and root rot; it could be planted too deeply, too wet (a common cause), or have poor drainage, which doesn’t sound like your plant. But too wet does sound right. The plant may be too far gone, but if it’s not–and you’ll know when you tranplant it– repot in sterilzed soil. AVs can be very finicky even though it seems like everybody else has such an easy time with them.

African violets

The leaves on my african violet get almost clear in the stem and then the leaves seem to die and stem gets limp and whole thing drops off. I water from the bottom when soil is dry.Not showing any blooms

Large leaves

My violets, about five and ten years old, bloom fully and beautifully but the leaves have become very long and large. Should I repot? Are large leaves normal?

I’m having trouble with my

I’m having trouble with my violets having two plants come up side by side. Why is that and how can I just have one

African Violet question

My plant has grown nicely & has a large clump of flowers, but there is hardly any roots. The plant top is heavy and leans. What should I do to get the roots to grow deeper?

Deep Roots

Encourage the roots to grow deeper by water from the bottom of the pot rather than the top. Set the pot in the a saucer (if it isn’t already) and put water in the saucer; the soil will soak it up. Remember to dump out any excess water from the saucer after the soil is sufficiently moist.

African Violets

How often do you water African Violets?

Watering African Violets

There is no set schedule to watering—it all depends on factors like how warm and dry your home is, the time of year, how large your violet and its pot are, and the quality of the potting soil. Generally, the goal should be to keep soil moist—not wet—so this could mean that you need to water once a week or only once every few weeks. Over time, you’ll learn what’s best for your plants and can develop a schedule!

African violets

My African violet bloom looks exactly like a rose, would any of you be able to explain to me?

Double Flower

African violets come in range of varieties, including those with “double” flowers, which resemble roses!

how to correct growth?

Hi, my violets were in a low light window for several months because of moving, home renovation etc, and now are leggy and leaves stretching out and upwards. They are now in a much better window- how would you reccomend correcting the growth if its possible? just wait until there is enough new growth and eventually snip off the older leaves? or is there anything quicker? thanks! Jane T

african violet propogation

my african violet has flowered, and one of the flowers has produced a small green tear drop shaped bulb-like growth in the middle of the flower. is this something i can use to grow more african violets?

Old Plant

I have had my grandmother African violet for at least 30 years. I have not idea how long she has had it. Tried to split one time and last one of the two splits. It is growing out of the pot now and working toward the top. The route is thick and crooked. What do I do with it. I am attached to this plant.

Rooting an African violet leaf

I pulled some unhealthy-looking leaves from my African violet plant and placed the stems in water, not touching the leaves, with the hope they may root. And indeed they did! There are now roots and tiny leaves appearing in the water.

QUESTION: When/how do I transplant these new shoots into soil?

African violet

When I repotted my violet, I must have planted it too deep because now the leaves are lying on the dirt. It is very hard to water because there’s only one small opening where I can get water in without touching the leaves. The plant is blooming beautifully so I’m afraid to touch it. Wondering if I should cut off lower leaves to expose base of plant. I use African violet plant food every couple of weeks or when I think it looks like it needs a boost. Lighting is perfect - East window. I rotate the plant every couple of days so all sides get the sun. Still the newest center leaves point straight up. Should I trim lower leaves?