How to Grow and Care for African Violets: Easy Tips & Tricks

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Want to learn how to grow African Violets? These are beautiful houseplants that can add a touch of color to any room. They are also easy to care for, and most people find they can keep them alive and healthy with little effort.

The beautiful blooms are especially delightful during the winter months!

White with Lavender African Violet, easy Propagate African Violets

In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of African violet care so that you can grow these lovely plants successfully and get the best results!

Table of Contents

  • Understanding African Violets
  • Choosing the Right Environment
  • Selecting the Right Pot and Soil
  • Watering Techniques
  • Feeding and Fertilizing
  • Pruning and Deadheading
  • Dealing with Common Issues
  • Repotting and Propagation
  • Final Tips for Success

Understanding African Violet Plants

When caring for any plant it can help to know where they originally came from.

African violets are native to Tanzania, where they grow in shaded, rocky areas and enjoy the high humidity. They have fleshy yet fuzzy leaves and produce clusters of five-petaled flowers that range in color from white and pink to purple and blue.

Choosing the Right Environment

The first step in caring for your African violet is to make sure it has enough sunlight. How much light do they need?

African violets need at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day.

If possible, place your African violet near a south-facing window (especially in winter). But west or north-facing windows work as well.

Adequate indirect light is important for good growth but direct sunlight is too strong. If you need some help diffusing the direct light, then use a sheer curtain.

African violets like the same conditions you do–moderate temperatures and humidity. Ideal temperatures are between 65 and 75 F degrees, but violets will tolerate temps outside of this range.

African Violets in window

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Best Pots for African Violets

For good results, African violet pots should have plenty of drainage holes. Plastic pots, self-watering pots, and clay pots are all acceptable.

When buying a new pot just make sure the size is adequate along with the drainage.

African Violet Soil

The next step is to make sure your African violet has the right soil. As with many indoor plants a good potting mix that is light and very well-draining, yet still holds moisture is ideal.

Many recommend using a peat-based mix but I shy away from those, peat moss tends to bind after a while.

make your own

DIY Potting Soil

Potting soil is easy to make and much less expensive than bagged. Plus you can use more earth-friendly ingredients than you find in commercial products!

Many times I use my DIY potting soil with added perlite. About 1/4 more perlite ratio works well for me. 

If using bagged potting soil add more perlite to the mix, about 1/4 more. That means mixing 1/4 cup perlite with 1 cup potting soil.

If you don’t have perlite, then I like to use horticultural sand instead. (note: I now use more sand and skip the perlite)

Brand-name “violet potting soils” are NOT necessarily good for African violets! 

African Violet watering

Watering is another important aspect of African violet care. These plants need to be watered regularly, but you don’t want to over-water, which can lead to root rot.

It is best to use room temperature water or luke warm water, not cold water. 

A common misnomer is you need to water from the bottom of the pot. You can water from the top.  

The reason many advise watering from the bottom is that African violets are susceptible to crown rot.

Watering from the top is fine as long as you make sure the crown (the section of the plant at the soil line) does not stay saturated with water. Always pour off excess water that collects in the dish or tray the pot is sitting in.

Getting water on a healthy leaf will not necessarily harm it unless the water temperature is much different from the leaf temperature.

Getting water on the leaves, especially hard water can leave a stain and make brown spots though it looks bad it doesn’t necessarily harm them.

varigated african violet
Variegated African Violet

If you use “violet pots” or another self-watering method, this includes bottom watering, the added perlite or horticultural sand is key in your African violet soil.

The best way to determine when to water is to use a moisture meter. (affiliate link) I also sometimes just lift the African Violet pot to feel the weight of it.

After a while, you can determine just by that if you need to water or not. The moisture meter has helped me with all of my house plants watering and I am so glad I got it!

Fertilizer

African violets like regular fertilization to stay healthy. Most plants do well with a fertilizer with a 3-1-2 ratio. You don’t need to buy plant-specific fertilizers, usually.

This is what I use now: Eco Organic Sustainable Liquid Fertility (affiliate link)

Use each watering, following the directions for that fertilizer. You want to avoid “bloom boosters”.

Pruning and Deadheading

Promoting Healthy Growth

Regularly remove damaged or dead leaves to encourage new growth. Pinch off any spent or fading flowers to divert energy towards new blooms.

Sometimes the stem beneath the lower leaves becomes elongated, this indicates it is time to repot.

Other African Violet Care Tips

How to get African Violets to Bloom

For abundant blooming African Violets, enough light, 12 to 13 hours of light daily. If you want your African violets to bloom better in winter supplement light by growing under artificial lights.

Place a two-tube fluorescent fixture about 12-18″ above plants for 12-13 hours daily. 

Add more bright light if the foliage appears to be healthy and developing, but no blooms appear. If blossoms are numerous but leaves are pale or rigid, the light may be too strong.

I have found LED grow lights work well also. More and more are becoming available. I have just acquired some LED bulbs that fit my fluorescent light fixtures.

Make sure to place your plant in a well-ventilated area, and if possible, rotate it every few days so that all of the leaves get an equal amount of sunlight.

How to Propagate African Violets

Do you want to start new plants from leaf cuttings? Go here for the step by step!

Get more for free

Propagating African Violets

You can easily get more African Violets by propagation. Find out how simple it can be!

Pests and Diseases

Watch for common pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.

Fungal diseases can be prevented by avoiding overwatering and ensuring good air circulation.

By following these simple tips and the right conditions, you can ensure that your African violet will stay healthy and happy!

Keep them healthy

Repotting African Violets – when, why, and how!

Repotting African Violets is the easiest way to keep them looking their best. How often should you repot African Violets? What is the best soil? Find out here!

These beautiful plants are easy to grow and so rewarding!

FAQs about African Violets

I have found they do great under regular fluorescent lights. One cool bulb, one warm. See section on how to get African Violets to bloom.

Not usually. If you follow all the recommendations in this blog post you should be able to succeed in growing African Violets with success.

Yes, you can. I have many African Violets in terra cotta clay pots and they do just fine. They may need more watering but that is easy to do. See this post: Why I love Terra Cotta Pots

Popular Varieties

1. Standard African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha): The most common variety with a rosette of dark green leaves and single or double flowers.

2. Trailing African Violet (Saintpaulia confusa): This type has trailing stems, making it perfect for hanging baskets.

3. Miniature African Violet: These are smaller versions of the standard African violet plants, making them ideal for smaller spaces. These grow quite happily in small pots that are around 2 to 3 inches.

Hi, I’m Pamela

I am a 40-year master gardening enthusiast who loves to share the simple tips, tricks, and inspiration I have learned from personal experience.
My goal is to cultivate the love of gardening and help make your gardening life more enjoyable!
a Garden Friend!

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