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 blooms died off and I snipped them, will the new blooms sprout from those same stems, or will new ones pop up? This is my first African violet.
New flowers will not emerge from an old stem, so you may snip the flower stem back to its base once all the buds have opened and faded. This will help to encourage the plant to send up new stems with new blooms.
Here are a few more tips that might help your African violets bloom.
How do you take care of African. Violet
The tips on how to care for an African Violet are on this very page! if you have further questions, please let us know.
Where can I get an African violet exactly like the one pictured here please?
Hi, Dayshauna: Just check with your local nursery or florist... they'll know! Thanks for asking!
How do I get the leaves to stop growing over the blooms? The leaves are growing straight up.
How do I stop the leaves from growing straight up over blooms?
I just love all the information you have. Just from reading old questions and answers I have solved so many problems with my violets and other plants. Thank you.
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Yes, it does sound like the green pods that you are seeing are actually the seedpods of the African violet. These form once the flower is fertilized and the petals fade. Pods may contain 200 to 300 seeds, or some might contain few or none. The seeds are extremely tiny. A seedpod must remain on the plant to mature, which takes about 3 to 6 months. The bright green pod will eventually dry and brown, and the stem will shrivel. Once this happens, you can harvest the pod (be sure to harvest before the pod splits open) and let it sit in a cool, dry place for a week or two before sowing the seeds or storing the pod in an airtight container. The seeds, once planted, will probably not produce the same characteristics as the parents. To sow them, open the pod and scatter the seeds on moist growing medium, such as peat moss mixed with vermiculite and perlite. Cover the growing medium with plastic wrap; place in light, such as by a window with indirect light or about 10 inches under fluorescent lights for around 10 or 12 hours. Keep warm, about 75F. Keep moist by misting with water every so often. Germination, which depends on several factors, may be between 1 and 4 weeks, or even more.