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
More Like This
How often do you water 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!
My African violet bloom looks exactly like a rose, would any of you be able to explain to me?
African violets come in range of varieties, including those with "double" flowers, which resemble roses!
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
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?
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.
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?
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?
If the leaves still look deep green and healthy, there's no reason to trim them off! As long as the leaves are allowed to air-dry and aren't kepy continuously moist, there shouldn't be an issue with getting a bit of water on them. If the leaves start to "melt" or discolor, then you can consider pruning the plant.
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