Caption
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
Bloom Time
Plant Type
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.
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 Troubleshooting Chart
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No flowers | Too little light; too much nitrogen; plant too cold | Move to bright, indirect light; switch to a bloom-boosting fertilizer; keep temps 65°–75°F |
| Leaves turning yellow | Overwatering; poor drainage; old leaves | Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; use a pot with drainage; remove aging outer leaves |
| Wilting leaves | Root rot or underwatering | Check soil moisture; trim rotted roots and repot in fresh mix; water consistently |
| Mushy or collapsing crown | Crown rot from cold water or water sitting on leaves | Water from the bottom; avoid splashing leaves; keep water lukewarm |
| Brown leaf spots | Cold water; sun scorch | Use room-temperature water; keep out of direct sunlight |
| Pale or stretched leaves | Insufficient light | Move plant closer to a bright window or use grow lights |
| Curled or brittle leaves | Low humidity; cold drafts | Increase humidity with a tray or humidifier; move away from vents |
| White crust on soil | Salt buildup from fertilizer or hard water | Flush soil monthly with distilled water; fertilize lightly |
| Slow growth | Root-bound plant; nutrient deficiency | Repot every 6–12 months; fertilize regularly at low strength |
| Flowers fade quickly | Heat stress; dry air | Keep temperatures moderate; increase humidity |
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.
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.
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.
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
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Comments
My cat knocked the top of my African violet off. Can I save the plant?
Is there any way to save an overwatered african violet?
It depends on how far gone it seems to be. If the stem is fully rotted through, then it's unlikely that it can recover. However, if only some of the roots have "root rot" due to moisture, you can trim off those bits and repot in fresh soil.
HELP!
I was given a beautiful Africian Violet plant and it was left in the car overnight, it looks very sad and the leaves are no longer a pretty color.
How can I save this plant?
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?
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Hi, Doris. It sounds like your African violet has developed a "neck." The African Violet Society of America has a step by step guide for how to repot an African violet with a neck. See here: https://africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org/learn/violets-101/repotting-a-violet-with-a-neck/