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African Violet Care: How to Grow Happy, Blooming Plants Indoors

Blooming blue violet (saintpaulia) in a plastic pot on a home windowsill.

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

Image Credit:
Ludmila Kapustkina/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Streptocarpus (formerly Saintpaulia) ionanthus
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun
Bloom Time
Varies
Flower Color
Blue
Pink
Purple
Red
White
Plant Type
Houseplants
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

African violets may be small, but they bring big joy—bursting into bloom just when you need a reminder that life indoors can be just as colorful as the garden outside. With their velvety leaves and cheerful clusters of purple, blue, or white flowers, these classic houseplants have a way of stealing hearts (and windowsill space). 

The good news? African violets are surprisingly easy to grow once you understand their preferences. Give them the right light, gentle watering, and a little consistency, and they’ll reward you with flowers almost nonstop. Let’s get growing!

Despite their common name, African violets are not a type of violet, but they do produce vivid, violet-colored flowers. They are now categorized in the genus Streptocarpus. However, 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. 

African violets do best and produce the most blooms in bright, indirect light with regular house temperatures (no lower than 55°F at night nor above 75°F during the day). 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 African violet–specific potting mix or an all-purpose potting mix, 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 in fresh potting mix. Being a bit pot-bound encourages African violets to bloom more, so don’t be too quick to give them more space.
  • The potting mix 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 planted previously, and be careful not to bury the crown. African violets‘ stems can be susceptible to rot if kept too moist.

African violet flower

Growing

How to Care for African Violets

  • 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° 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.

African violet flowers in white

African Violet Troubleshooting Chart

ProblemLikely CauseSolution
No flowersToo little light; too much nitrogen; plant too coldMove to bright, indirect light; switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer; keep temps 65°–75°F
Leaves turning yellowOverwatering; poor drainage; old leavesAllow soil to dry slightly between waterings; use a pot with drainage; remove aging outer leaves
Wilting leavesRoot rot or underwateringCheck soil moisture; trim rotted roots and repot in fresh mix; water consistently
Mushy or collapsing crownCrown rot from cold water or water sitting on leavesWater from the bottom; avoid splashing leaves; keep water lukewarm
Brown leaf spotsCold water; sun scorchUse room-temperature water; keep out of direct sunlight
Pale or stretched leavesInsufficient lightMove plant closer to a bright window or use grow lights
Curled or brittle leavesLow humidity; cold draftsIncrease humidity with a tray or humidifier; move away from vents
White crust on soilSalt buildup from fertilizer or hard waterFlush soil monthly with distilled water; fertilize lightly
Slow growthRoot-bound plant; nutrient deficiencyRepot every 6–12 months; fertilize regularly at low strength
Flowers fade quicklyHeat stress; dry airKeep temperatures moderate; increase humidity

Pests and Problems

  • 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 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.

Water
Keep the potting mix 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.
Light
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.
Fertilizer
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).

Overfertilizing is a more common problem than underfertilizing since most potting mixes come infused with plenty of nutrients.

Types

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

Wit and 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.

Houseplant Guides

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Shawna00123</span> Sun, 08/23/2015 - 23:00
I received a cutting 4 months ago; it rooted beautifully in a jar of water and I planted it in African violet soil about 2 months ago. The single leaf is doing well, green and plump but I don't see any sign of more leaf growth. What can I do to help it along? Is it normal to take this long?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 08/26/2015 - 10:25

It sounds like you are doing everything right, Shawna. You might need to give it a little more time. The African Violet Society of America advises that it could take "a period of months."

You might consider doing for your plant what the AVSA advises for starting in soil, especially if you are in an area of relatively low humidity: Put your starter container (with the plant in it, in moist soil) into a zip-lock bag, blow into the bag (adding carbon dioxide) until it puffs up, then close it tightly. The "air" is good for the plant and will help to keep the bag from sagging and touching the leaf. Put the package into a place that gets bright light, but not direct sunlight. That method—a sort of greenhouse—might encourage growth of your cutting.

Or you can wait a while longer.

We hope this helps.

 

 <span>Suzi T</span> Mon, 08/24/2015 - 19:18
Just have patience!! I did this about 6 months ago. Single leaf looked healthy for many months and finally a teeny tiny leaf emerged..others followed more quickly and now I have a healthy small violet! I kept it watered with Violet fertilizer the sameness I do for my mature plants.
<span>Karen Mango</span> Sun, 08/23/2015 - 13:24
I have had an african violet for a couple of years now. Plant is doing beautifully and has grown alot, but I have never had any flowers on it. I do give it fertilizer and I did just repot it for the first time. What to do?
<span>Bob Brancato</span> Sun, 08/23/2015 - 20:23
Mine flowers terrifically. It's in a north facing window and receives 2-4 hrs. of direct light per day. Wish I had more insight, just stupid lucky with this one.
<span>Garden Suitor</span> Sun, 08/23/2015 - 17:31
Put them in an east window or make sure they receive early morning sun and that should stimulate blooms.
<span>Suzi T</span> Mon, 08/24/2015 - 19:20
Mine all do well in east window too!
<span>Kathleen Lilly</span> Sun, 08/23/2015 - 14:34
With mine I have found that when they do not flower they do not seem to be getting enough light. Not direct light... just more light... then they bloom a lot... I moved mine to a window ledge and that made all the difference.
<span>Audrey West</span> Sat, 08/22/2015 - 12:33
I have been given an African Violet plant; and dont know the first thing about this plant. Iwill enjoy browsing you information. What a pretty flower!!!
<span>Melyssa</span> Fri, 08/07/2015 - 00:13
I have received an African Violet as part of a living flower arrangement. Can I leave it in there or should I remove it and re-pot before the roots from the other plants tangle up with it? The current container is about a foot in diameter and it looks like there are about 6 others plants in the container.