The colorful blooms of African violets are extra special. They’ll instantly add color to any room.
They’re known to bloom continuously, even throughout the darker months of winter. Place them throughout the house to enjoy their colors and velvety texture throughout the year.
Once you get in a regular routine of taking care of African violets, you’ll find they grow very easily. All of their basic needs need to be met though, or they won’t bloom. Give them the right temperature, light and a good feeding, and you’ll be blooming in no time!
Choosing and Caring for African Violets:
1. Start off healthy. Choose a plant with bright emerald leaves and the flower color that you want. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
2. The right light. The most common reason African violets don’t bloom is because they aren’t getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
3. Keep warm. African violets prefer the same temperatures most people find comfortable: between 70-80°F during the day, and around 65–70°F at night.
4. Water from below. Fill the saucer using room temperature water. Let sit for about an hour and then pour excess water out. Allow the plant to dry out between waterings.
5. Fertilize with Espoma’s new liquid Violet! Indoor houseplant food every 2-4 weeks in spring, summer and fall.
6. Think before replanting. African violets only bloom when they’re root bound. When it is time to repot, be sure to use an organic potting soil made specifically for African violets, such as Espoma’s African Violet Mix. They flower best in small pots — choose one that’s about a third of the diameter of their leaf spread.
Now that you’re African violet is off to a great start, it’s time to care for your other houseplants!
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for plant care, I can attest to the unparalleled beauty and charm of African violets. Over the years, I have successfully cultivated and nurtured a diverse range of plants, and African violets have always held a special place in my heart. My expertise extends beyond theoretical knowledge; it is rooted in countless hours spent tending to these delicate yet resilient blooms.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the provided article on choosing and caring for African violets:
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Starting Off Healthy:
- Choose a plant with vibrant, bright emerald leaves and the desired flower color.
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, a critical factor for the well-being of African violets.
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The Right Light:
- Lack of sufficient light is a common reason African violets fail to bloom.
- They thrive in indirect sunlight, so place them near a north- or east-facing window.
- Rotate the pot weekly to ensure all leaves receive adequate light.
- During the darker winter months, supplement their light exposure with a grow light to extend daylight.
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Maintaining the Right Temperature:
- African violets flourish in temperatures between 70-80°F during the day and 65–70°F at night.
- Mimic the conditions most people find comfortable to ensure optimal growth and blooming.
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Watering Technique:
- Water African violets from below by filling the saucer with room temperature water.
- Allow the plant to absorb water for about an hour, then pour out any excess.
- Let the plant dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
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Fertilization:
- Use Espoma's liquid Violet! Indoor houseplant food every 2-4 weeks in spring, summer, and fall.
- Proper feeding is crucial for continuous blooming and overall plant health.
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Replanting Considerations:
- African violets bloom best when root-bound, so don't rush to repot.
- When it's time to replant, use organic potting soil designed for African violets, such as Espoma’s African Violet Mix.
- Opt for smaller pots, approximately a third of the diameter of their leaf spread.
The meticulous care outlined in these steps ensures that your African violets not only survive but thrive, gracing your home with their vivid hues and velvety texture throughout the year. By following these guidelines, you'll witness the continuous bloom of these extraordinary plants, turning your space into a haven of natural beauty.
FAQs
They prefer bright, indirect sun. Too little sunlight causes them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers; too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun's harshest rays. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
How do I keep my African violets blooming? ›
They prefer bright, indirect sun. Too little sunlight causes them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers; too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun's harshest rays. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
What does Epsom salt do for African violets? ›
Fertilizing your African violets with epsom salts sounds a bit counterintuitive as most plants do not respond well to salt water. The truth is that epsom salts do not contain actual salt but do contain the trace mineral salts sulfur and magnesium that boost bloom in flowering plants.
Should you fertilize African violets while blooming? ›
The best time for fertilizing African violets is in spring when the plant is actively growing. Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process.
How do you perk up an African violet? ›
It's best to water African Violets from the bottom, using room-temperature or slightly tepid water. Just be careful not to overcompensate by giving your plant too much water to make up for it being dry. A dry plant should perk up quickly with a regular watering.
Do African violets like coffee grounds? ›
African violets, azaleas, amaryllis, aloe and ferns, to name a few, are all indoor plants that love coffee.
Should I cut the dead flowers off my African violet? ›
African Violet Care
Keep water from touching their leaves or it will leave brown spots. 1 Remove dead flowers and leaves as soon as you see them to encourage a healthier plant. Regularly check the soil for excess moisture. This will encourage rot.
Does coffee help African violets? ›
☕🌿 African Violet: Thrives with coffee and water for the best growth. Azaleas: Blooms profusely with coffee grounds. Jade Plant: Keeps color vibrant and encourages thick stems.
Is baking soda good for African violets? ›
If powdery mildew on African violets doesn't improve, try spraying the plants lightly with a mixture of 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of baking soda in 1 quart (1 L.) of water.
Are egg shells good for African violets? ›
African violets do best at around 6.5 to 6.8. Beware of coffee and particularly tea as they are quite acidic. And egg shells, although they contain calcium, are going to increase the pH, although only slightly. This effects on the pH could be ameliorated, though, by leaching regularly.
African violets grow best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix is specially formulated to provide indoor plants like African violets with just the right growing environment.
What is the best food for African violets? ›
Many growers have the best success fertilizing once a week with a mild fertilizer designed for African violets. A balanced formula such as a 20-20-20 or one that has slightly more phosphorus, like a 15-20-15 will do well in most growing situations.
Do African violets like to be misted? ›
It is important to note, that unlike other humidity loving plants, African Violets will NOT appreciate your loving efforts to mist their leaves. You may think you are caring for your plant this way but, for African violets, this can lead their leaves to become spotted and cause them to rot.
How do you make homemade African violet fertilizer? ›
Best for: Coffee grounds are best used as a homemade fertilizer for azaleas, rhododendrons, roses, African violets, cucumbers, potatoes, and blueberries. Pro tip: A light coating of coffee grounds goes a long way!
What is the lifespan of an African violet? ›
When to Repot Your African Violets. Repotting these blooms is key due to their long lifespan—they can last up to 50 years, says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
How do you revive a droopy African violet? ›
Under/overwatering and light issues cause droopy leaves; adjust care accordingly. Create a tropical environment with proper humidity, temperature, and nutrient balance. Prevent root rot with well-draining soil and correct pot size; inspect regularly.
Can African violets bloom continuously? ›
African Violets can bloom all year long. They make great houseplants, with their cheerful flowers brightening up a windowsill even in the dead of winter. Since their discovery over one hundred years ago, they have become very popular.
Where is the best place to put an African violet? ›
Grow plants in bright, indirect light for the best color and blooms. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. Plants will still grow when situated right beside north- or east-facing windows, but leaves will be thin and spindly, and plants less likely to bloom.
How often should you water African violets? ›
“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.
Why are the flowers falling off my African violet? ›
Bud drop on African violets can be caused by the soil drying out between waterings. Excessive heat and dry air can also injure the flower buds. If you use a soil-less peat moss potting medium, it can be difficult to rewet the medium if it completely dries out, so you may need to water more frequently.
