All healthy African Violets develop necks in time. It’s hard to be certain why this happens, but growers believe it helps wild Saintpaulias spread by asexual reproduction. We keep them in neat little pots in our homes, but in nature, African Violets like to sprawl.
Can African violets be divided?
African violets are cheery little plants that don’t appreciate a lot of fuss and muss. In other words, they’re the perfect plant for busy (or forgetful) folks. Dividing an African violet– or separating African violet “pups”– is an easy way to generate more plants to spread around your house or to share with lucky friends.
How do you grow African violet from seed?
A popular growing medium for African Violet seeds is peat moss. Place the peat moss in your chosen pot and moisten the soil. Then, evenly spread the small seeds on top of the soil. You can also use coconut coir as a sustainable peat moss alternative, or purchase a specialized seed starting mix from your local nursery.
Are African violets prone to pests?
African Violets are susceptible to their fair share of pests and diseases. Whenever you notice or even suspect that your plant is affected by pests or disease, it’s essential to separate them from other plants to prevent spread. Let’s take a look at the most common to look out for.
What time of year do African violets grow?
Aftican Violets are mostly grown year-round, and grown indoors. As they are mostly grown indoors, African Violets can be planted any time of year. However, for the quickest growth and healthiest plants, it’s best to plant in spring. Growing them from seed is super easy with a little bit of know-how.
Do African violets multiply?
African violets and rex begonias both multiply readily from leaf cuttings. Use whole or even parts of leaves to propagate either of these plants. Because a detached begonia or African violet leaf wilts quickly, always have your pot of soil ready before you take the cutting.
Are African violets invasive?
Have you seen wild violets popping up in yards around town? They grow to be about 4-6 inches tall, have heart-shaped leaves, and are usually marked by violet, speckled or white blooms. While pretty, these iconic wild violets are also an aggressive and invasive weed.
Do violets like to be crowded?
Yes, they do like to be crowded to bloom, according to the African Violet Resource Center. But there is a fine line between pleasantly crowded to encourage blooming and a struggling plant that may stop blooming altogether. It could even stop growing.
How do violets spread?
Violets spread by underground rhizomes and may form vegetative colonies. They also spread by seed. Flowers near the soil surface that never really open, called cleistogamous or non-opening, self-pollinating, shoot seeds out to establish a new colony away from the parent.
Do violets choke out other plants?
A few violets are pretty and charming. A lawn full of them may lose its charm rapidly, and some mature specimens will develop fleshy above-ground rhizomes that choke out any other plants, especially grass.
How long can an African violet plant live?
50 yearsRepotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. "Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years," says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
Can I put 2 African violets together?
Answer: Yes and no. So long as the violets are otherwise properly cared for, they can be potted together into the same pot. One thing to be careful of is watering, since these violets will be greatly overpotted.
Do African violets need bigger pots?
If the pot is too small, then your African violet won't produce new growth. On the other hand, if your pot is too big, your plant will have trouble blooming. African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so choose a pot that's on the smaller side.
Should you prune African violets?
It's important to prune African Violets every so often to keep them growing and blooming at full strength. Remember that your plant's first 3-5 rows of leaves are the most important for healthy flowering. Your African Violet will respond to regular trimming with lots of lovely blooms!
How do you keep violets from spreading?
Fall is the best time of year to control the wild violets. It's a perennial weed with a long tap root on it. Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or Dicamba, and it will selectively kill the violets without damaging the grass. Another great wild violet herbicide is called Drive (quinclorac).
Which violets are invasive?
The wild violet, viola sororia, is the invasive type, but it can cross with other violets so I would just stay away from planting violets at all. Unless you are absolutely sure of what you're planting. Wild violet spreads by lots of underground roots that can still grow if even a little bit is left.
Why are there so many violets in my yard?
Violets can also be a sign of thinning lawns overall, and can establish where lawns are mowed too short , competing with that lawns' chances of growing thick and vigorous once more.
Do African violets attract bugs?
Pests are attracted to African violets because of their fragrance and brightly colored petals. The fuzzy, velvety texture and creamy white leaf edges appeal to the bugs. They like feeding on these plants, and they pierce the flower tissues and suck up plant fluids.
Are African violets low maintenance?
African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are low maintenance, easy to grow houseplants. They reliably bloom several times a year when cared for properly.
Do African violets come back every year?
One of the reasons African violets are so well-loved is that they can bloom nearly year-round with the right care. Each healthy flower will last two or three weeks. A happy plant can continue producing new blossoms regularly for 10 to 12 months out of the year.
How big can African violets get?
African violets grow from 2 to 6 inches tall, and anywhere from about 3 inches around to well over a foot, depending on the type. Most of the plants display flower clusters at the center, just above the foliage, surrounded by rosette-like layers of dark green leaves.
About African violets
African violets (or Saintpaulia) are a genus of plants within the Gesneriad family. Discovered in 1892 by Baron von St Paul (hence the botanical name), many species can still be found growing in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya.
Who we are: African violet experts
We’ve been growing and exhibiting since 1975, and have been in business shipping to satisfied customers world-wide since 1985. We hybridize many of our own plants–are famous for our ‘Rob’s’ and ‘Ma’s’ series of African violets, and our ‘Bristol’s’ series of gesneriads (African violet relatives).
What we do
We hybridize and grow all the plants we sell–we don’t buy from other growers and resell. This means we know what each plant likes to grow best from personal experience.
What we grow: African violets and more
We specialize in African violets and their relatives (gesneriads), and other plants suitable for the indoor home environment. Most are of a manageable size (can be grown on a windowsill or light stand), and many will bloom readily in the home.
How to grow African violets
Though we’d like to sell you plants (or perhaps we have) use this site as a reference–to learn about the plants you grow (or want to), or to learn how to grow them better. Use our “search function” to answer your question–for example, type “repot African violet”, if this is what you need to know.
Where to find us
Visit us–our shop and glasshouse are open to the public year-round. Hours and directions can be found in the “about” pages. We also attend (and sell at) a number of shows during the year, throughout the United States. Dates of these upcoming events will be listed in the sidebar at right.
Keeping connected
Visit our “facebook” and “pinterest” pages (links found at page top). Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, “VioletsFun”. Join a society–we are longtime members for many plant societies and interest groups. There is no better way to learn than to share your experiences with a fellow grower.
About African violets
African violets are very decorative little plants that bloom in lovely jewel tones. Even when not in bloom, you won’t have trouble recognizing one, as they sport uniquely fuzzy leaves that give them an almost shiny appearance. They stay small, making them perfect for the average windowsill.
African violet varieties
As I mentioned, and as with many other houseplants, there are so many different African violet varieties out there that it would be absolutely impossible for me to even try to describe them here.
Caring for an African violet
I’ve noticed that African violets have a bit of a reputation for not being the easiest houseplants to keep alive (compared to say, spider plants, which practically take care of themselves). I think this is because African violets are somewhat specific about certain care aspects.
Propagating African violet
Multiplying an African violet is an absolute breeze and a great way to obtain free plants to keep or give away. In some cases, the plant itself will do most of the work for you: this species is known to produce offsets, which you can remove and pot up separately.
How do you make an African violet bloom?
If your African violet has stopped flowering, it can be a good idea to refer back to this care guide and make sure you’re still following all care guidelines. After all, they usually tend to bloom almost constantly, although a short break isn’t too concerning.
Common questions about African violets
Officially, there are 10 species within Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia but thousands of hybridized varieties. The African Violet Society of America currently has more than 16,000 varieties listed in its database, grouped by their growth and by their flowers.
Bacterial Blight
Bacterial Blight is also called Erwinia. This name comes from the cause of the bacteria, Erwinia chrysanthemi, that causes this disease.
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis Blight is another common disease when it comes to African Violets. This disease can also affect your other houseplants, so be vigilant if you notice this on your African Violets.
Foliar Nematode
Foliar Nematode is also known as Leaf Nematode. This disease is caused by Aphelenchoides ritzema-bosi, which are microscopic, unsegmented worms that are feeding on the foliage of African Violets.
Phytophthora Crown Rot
Phytophthora Crown Rot is a fungal disease that affects the crown of the African Violets.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that is caused by high humidity and sudden changes in temperature.
Pythium Root Rot
Pythium Root Rot is another fungal disease that is caused by inadequate soil. The best is to prevent this disease, as in most cases cannot be treated and can be fatal for the plant.
Rhizoctonia Crown Rot
Rhizoctonia Crown Rot is another fungal disease that can appear on African Violets and will thrive in wet conditions.
