- Water the plants when the soil feels dry. African violets thrive best when their soil is somewhere between dry and moist, so give them water when the soil starts ...
- Provide plenty of bright but indirect light. African violets need lots of light, and they won’t flower if they don’t get enough sun.
- Feed them fertilizer. These plants need lots of nutrients to continue producing flowers year-round, and the best way to ensure they get what they need is to provide them ...
- Monitor the temperature. The best temperature range for African violets is between 65 and 75 F (18 and 24 C).
- Maintain the humidity. The ideal humidity level for African violets is between 40 and 60 percent. You can monitor this with a hygrometer.
- Repot the plants every year. Because African violets thrive in small pots, it’s important to repot them regularly to keep up with their growth.
How often do you water an African violet?
how often do you water an African violet?
- At different times of year. If saintpaulias stand on a windowsill without lighting, watering really depends on the season. ...
- During flowering. Violets with buds are watered more abundantly and more often than those resting after flowering. ...
- According to age. ...
What to do when your African violet is not flowering?
- Using cold water can prevent your plant from flowering.
- Because African violet leaves are prone to rotting, avoid using a mister to maintain the soil’s moisture. ...
- You can water your African violet from the bottom by placing it in a tray filled with water and leaving it to soak up the moisture through the drainage hole. ...
How to revive African violets?
Saving Your Overwatered African Violet
- Step One: Assess the Overall Damage It is important to see how damaged your overwatered African violet is. ...
- Step Two: Remove Damaged Leaves and Blooms Remove any yellow leaves, leaves with brown spots, or wilted blooms. Note: Do not remove leaves that curl downward from temperature shock. ...
- Step Six: Repot
What are some tips for growing African violets?
- Water. African Violets do not like wet feet! ...
- Temperature. African Violets are comfortable in the same temperatures we enjoy. ...
- Fertilizer. For the best foliage growth and most consistent blooms, it is recommended to use a dilute solution of fertilizer of ¼ tsp per gallon every time you water. ...
- Soil. ...
- Disbudding. ...
What is the best way to water African violets?
Watering: Keep soil moist to dry, and allow soil around roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming. Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower's pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water ( not more than 30 minutes ).
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
bottom upThe best way to water an African violet plant is from the bottom up. Place your plant in a shallow tray of water for 30 minutes, allowing the soil to soak up the water through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Do African violets have to be watered from the bottom?
Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
How often should you feed an African violet?
How to Feed African Violet Plants. These little plants need feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during their growing period. Prior to feeding, moisten the soil well. Use a liquid or soluble powder formula that will provide instant delivery.
How do I know when my African violets need water?
Knowing when to water your African Violet is pretty straightforward. Take your finger and lightly push down into the soil. If the mix feels bone dry, it's time to water. If the mix feels moist, let your African Violet sit and check back in a few days.
Can I use tap water for African violets?
In most locations, tap water will be fine, but the quality of tap water can vary. Chlorine levels may fluctuate, depending on the season. In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets.
Should you mist African violets?
African violets tolerate average indoor HUMIDITY; 40-60% is best. If your house is very dry, mist your violets lightly with room temperature water on a daily basis, but never late in the day or at night.
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 long can an African violet go without water?
At most, African violets can go 4-6 weeks without water. To help your plant survive this long without water, you can try a few different methods. One method is to water the plant thoroughly before leaving and then place it in a cool, dry area with bright indirect sunlight.
What is the best food for African violets?
These are 5 of the best fertilizers for African Violets that I recommend.Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food. ... Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food. ... EarthPods Premium African Violet Plant Food. ... Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food. ... Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food.
How do you get an African violet to bloom again?
8 Ways to Get Your African Violet to Bloom Again. ... Let There Be Light. ... Turn Up the Humidity. ... Replenish Essential Nutrients. ... Keep it Pleasant. ... Choose the Right Soil. ... Protect From Pests & Disease. ... Constrict the Roots.More items...•
What time of year do African violets bloom?
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.
How often should you water African violets from the bottom?
Water your African violet plants from the bottom by placing them in a saucer or tray filled with water. Allow the plant to soak for 10-15 minutes, then remove and allow to drain. Bottom watering should be done once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry.
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 do you force an African violet to bloom?
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.
What makes African violet leaves turn yellow?
Water issues – One of the most common explanations when African violet leaves are yellow is incorrect watering practices. The leaves don't tolerate water directly on them, and the foliage will respond by developing yellow or bleached, necrotic spots or ring spot.
What color are African violets?
African violets are flowering plants often grown indoors, as houseplants. These plants are characterized by blooms in shades of purple, red, blue, white, pink and lavender. While African violets are easy to maintain, home gardeners should provide adequate amounts of food and water for proper plant growth and vigor.
Do African violets need fertilizer?
While fertilizing your African violet, it is important to avoid over-fertilizing your plant. African violets do not need fertilizing during the winter months, as a rule. African violets growing under artificial light indoors, may require winter fertilization. Apply fertilizers to your African violets when the foliage becomes a lighter color green and when the rate decreases. Most African violets do well with fertilizer applications every four to six weeks. Any water soluble fertilizer labeled for use on houseplants is fine for African violets. Always follow the directions on the label for best results.
What is the recommended ratio for African violets?
African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source.
Can you feed African violets in winter?
Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom while others tout the process. However, considering that blooming deprives the plant of energy, it would seem logical that the nutrients used need to be put back into soil for plant uptake.
Do African Violets Need Fertilizer?
African violets require fairly low maintenance. They do need proper exposure, heat, and keeping water off those leaves, but they usually keep producing those sweet flowers much of the year. To keep your violet in good health, it needs to be fed. When, how and with what are questions we will be answering.
How do I know when to water my African Violet?
Knowing when to water your African Violet is pretty straightforward. Take your finger and lightly push down into the soil. If the mix feels bone dry, it’s time to water. If the mix feels moist, let your African Violet sit and check back in a few days.
How to repot African violets?
In this method, you take a wet wick and weave it through a drainage hole in your pot when you repot your African Violet. Do this before you put in your mix. The top of your wick should be held in place at the top of the pot with your wick being long enough to dangle down through the drainage hole. Then, you put your pot over a water reservoir ...
What kind of water should I use and at what temperature?
We want to avoid soft water. Luckily, most tap water is hard enough to be work fine. When it comes to temperature, we want room temperature. The reason we want room temperature water, rather than cold, is because cold water is harder on the roots. It makes them cold, and thus can have adverse effects on the leaves of the African violet.
Why does my African Violet get so much water?
If the bottom of the pot is sitting in the water, your African Violet will get way too much water. Much like the self watering pot, the wick will gradually provide your African Violet with the water it needs.
How to protect plants from water droplets?
They are also nice because they save time and energy, the pot slowly and methodically waters your plant on its own. Finally, it will protect you from getting water droplets on the leaves because you aren’t watering from above the plant. Water droplets on the leaves can lead to unsightly spots that you don’t want on your African Violet.
What does it mean when an African violet is still in water?
If there is still water in your saucer, your African Violet is telling you it doesn’t need any more water. Pour the remaining water out of the saucer, putting it back under your African Violet when you’re done. If there is no more water in the saucer after you return from letting your African Violet sit, put your finger in ...
Can African violets be watered from the bottom?
While this may sound odd to those unfamiliar with these types of plants, don’t worry. It’s actually quite easy to water a plant from the bottom.
What fertilizer should I use for African violets?
What’s the best fertilizer for African violets? Any reputable fertilizer is good. I like to use a water-soluble fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen (first number), phosphorus (second number), and potash (last number), such as 18-18-18, has produced good show plants for me. If you are not getting good bloom try a fertilizer with a higher middle number, which will contain more phosphorus, such as 15-30-15
How often should I repot an African violet?
How often should I repot my African violet? Repotting African violets is beneficial to the plant’s lasting health. Repot in fresh soil every year or two at most. Do not necessarily use a larger pot each time you repot.
When did the Usambara violet come to Germany?
When Baron Walter von Saint Paul first brought a flowering plant he called the Usambara violet from East Africa to Germany in 1894, little did he know how many people would fall passionately in love with the African violet. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about African violet care, along with prize-winning violet grower Jessie ...
Do African violets bloom in the winter?
African violets do well in a south window in the winter. For east and west windows, check to see that plants do not get too warm when the sun is in that area. North windows will provide sufficient light to bloom most of the year. Keep plants close to the window for maximum light.
Should I water my African violets from the bottom?
If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots. If you water from the bottom, the excess water should be discarded after the plant has taken up all it needs . Do not allow an African violet to sit in water indefinitely.
Should you withhold fertilizer when the African violet is in bloom?
Should you withhold fertilizer when the African violet is in bloom? In my opinion this is poor practice. African violets need food when producing blossoms, and since the plant ideally should bloom continuously. It would severely deprive the plant if fertilizer were withheld.
How to fix a violet plant that won't soak up water?
The plant may not soak up the water. To resolve, pour water through the top of the pot to try to get the capillary action going. If the pot is broad and shallow (such as for trailing violets,) two or three wicks may be needed. The plant may become too wet.
How to repot violets?
Insert a wet wick when repotting by stringing it through the drainage hole in the pot and up to the top rim, then adding potting mix and the violet. Alternatively, you may put the wick in after potting by using a hook such as stiff wire, a crochet hook or a long darning needle. Push the straight end of the tool into a hole on the bottom of the pot, catch the wicking material in the hook, and pull on the tool at the top of the pot to bring it on through. Be careful not to puncture any leaves.
How to water a plant from the bottom?
To water from the top, pour the water through the soil, taking care to keep water off the leaves. To water from the bottom, add the water directly to the saucer. When watering from the bottom, it may take a couple hours for the plant to absorb the water up to the top of the pot.
Where should the wick be in a pot?
The wick should dangle out of the bottom of the pot and into a reservoir of water below. The pot itself should not contact the fertilizer water.
Can African violets be overwatered?
Seasoned growers will tell you that proper watering is one of the most important skills you will learn in growing African violets. In fact, overwatering may be the number one cause of violet demise. The good news is there are many good ways to water African violets, and this is an easy skill to learn.
Is rain water good for growers?
Many growers use rainwater, with good results. While rainwater is generally free from some of the common contaminants in tap water, like chlorine and chloramines, it can acquire contaminants during collection. For example, roof runoff may contain pollen, roofing chemicals and bird droppings. Be sure the water you collect is clean and free from particulates and other contaminants.
Can African violets drink tap water?
In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets. Your water supply company can give you information on water quality, or you may have your water independently tested. In general, it is a good idea to fill a jug with water and let it sit overnight to let any chlorine dissipate. You may also use bottled water, filtered water, or reverse osmosis water. Water from a water softener may contain dissolved salts, and this will be a problem for your African violets.
What temperature should I keep my African Violets in?
African Violets enjoy growing in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When in doubt, it is safer to be warm then cool when it comes to these plants. For more information on climate control for your African Violets, click here.
How much light/darkness does my African Violet need?
Typically, we want our African Violets to get a full day (11-14 hours) of indirect sunlight . Recall, indirect sunlight is not the same thing is direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight refers to placing your African Violet in a bright windowsill or somewhere else where the sun won’t be beaming down on it directly.
What is an African Violet?
African Violet (Saintpaulia) plants are a popular species of houseplant, native to East Africa. Known for their striking resemblance to violets, African Violets have become a household favorite due to their resilience and easiness to grow. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned grower, African Violets are a joy to work with and look at.
How long do African Violets typically live?
Theoretically, African Violets can live indefinitely. In practice, if well cared for, African Violets can easily live for decades. It all depends on how well they are taken care of. The reason African Violets decline is usually due to grower error, not because of the plant itself.
Should I fertilize my African Violets?
Much like with Orchids, we recommend that you fertilize your African Violet regularly. Fertilizer helps deliver important nutrients that are essential for strong root growth, healthy leaves, and beautiful blooms. We carry a popular, balanced, 20-20-20 fertilizer, as well as a phosphorus rich (encourages more flowers) 12-36-14 fertilizer for African Violets.
Why are African violets dying?
The reason African Violets decline is usually due to grower error, not because of the plant itself . To ensure that your African Violet lives a long and healthy life, it is important to learn the necessary care information for these wonderful plants.
How many petals does an African violet have?
African Violet leaves have tiny hairs and a lush green appearance. They also typically have 5 or more petals, each with an elegant look.We recommend these amazing plants to both beginner growers and experienced growers alike. Not only are they beautiful, they are usually inexpensive as well.
How big do African violets get?
The growth habit of different types of African violets varies, from micro-miniature varieties that grow to be less than 3 inches across to large varieties that can grow to be more than 16 inches across. African violets have fuzzy leaves with blooms that are blue, white, pink or purple.
Can you fertilize African violets?
Every time you water African violets, you can apply a mild fertilizer by diluting one-quarter of the recommended amount of fertilizer in water. Flushing the plant monthly with plain water will also keep fertilizer from building up in the pot, which is not desirable.
Do African violets bloom in low light?
African violets have fuzzy leaves with blooms that are blue, white, pink or purple. As the Old Farmer’s Almanac notes, African violets can bloom in low light, but they prefer medium to bright indirect light. You should pot your African violet in soil that is not too compact and that is well-draining and rich in organic matter. You should also re-pot your African violet once a year to refresh the soil. In terms of watering, African violets prefer slightly moist soil.
