why do african violet leaves turn pink

A: African violets

are sensitive to many conditions, Patricia. The temperature, the amount and intensity of light and the content of fertilizer can all have an effect on the color of the blooms, but what is probably happening to your violet is that a hybridized plant is trying to revert back to its original color.

Full Answer

How do I know if my African violet is dying?

My African violet leaves are turning brown 7. My African violet leaves are turning purple 8. My African violet leaves are brittle 9. My African violet leaves are mushy 10. My African violet leaves are falling off 11. My African violet leaves are getting small 12. My African violet leaves have spots 1. My African violet has drooping leaves

Why are my African violet leaves turning brown and mushy?

My African violet leaves are mushy If you have given your plant too much water and left it with saturated soil, it can starve roots of oxygen. This leads to root rot, which is the most likely reason for leaves turning brown and mushy. You could see your plant succumb unless you treat it promptly.

How do I get my African Violet back to pink?

Change the water every few days to minimize gnats. Pinch off old leaves and remove spent blooms to encourage new growth. With good lighting, watering and occasional food, your African violet should be back in the pink — or rather green, again. Did you find this helpful?

What is eating my African violet leaves?

All these pests feed on the plant nutrients, which weakens the plant system. If you are using a pebble tray for humidity, make sure the water is refreshed every other day; else, fungus gnats can start infecting your African Violet.

Why do African violet leaves turn red?

Too much heat/light If the leaves have dry brown spots, edges or tips, it's most likely leaf scorch – caused by light or heat that's too intense. This could be down to central heating or too much direct sun.

Why do African violets change color?

The temperature, the amount and intensity of light and the content of fertilizer can all have an effect on the color of the blooms, but what is probably happening to your violet is that a hybridized plant is trying to revert back to its original color. This often happens in the plant world.

What is wrong with my African violet leaves?

Crown & Root Rot: One of the most serious fungal problems of African violet is usually first noticed when the crown and roots of the plant turn soft and mushy. The older leaves droop, and the younger leaves in the center of the plant appear stunted, turn black and die.

How do I know if I'm overwatering my African violet?

Signs of Overwatered African VioletBrown Spots on Leaves.Crown Rot.Mold Growing on Soil.Shriveled Appearance and Mushy Stems.Wilting.Yellow Leaves.Wrinkled Leaves.Curled Leaves.More items...

Can you change color of African violet?

Why do the blooms of African violets change colors? A. African violets do revert quite a bit since violets have been hybridized so much by so many. Even well-known standard types can revert.

Why are my African violet leaves light green?

Too much light can be harmful to African Violets however, it can cause slowed growth the plants leaves will turn to a pale green due to chlorophyll destruction and the flowering will decrease.

How often should African violets be watered?

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made with this type of plant, so it is essential to be cautious. Generally, African violets need to be watered about once a week, although this may vary depending on the climate and the potting mix.

Can African violets get too much light?

In the most severe cases, too much sunlight can actually be fatal to African Violets. Leaves have brown spots on them. When this symptom is caused by too much sunlight, it is called Leaf Scorch, a form of necrosis.

Do African violets need sunlight?

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.

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 I know if my African violet is healthy?

You can tell if your violet has proper sunlight by checking the leaves. In too much sunlight, the leaves turn yellow and the edges burn. In too little sunlight, the leaves will appear to be a healthy green, but there will be no blooms. Check your African violet and adjust its exposure to sunlight accordingly.

What is the best light for African violets?

African violets need bright light to bloom, but cannot tolerate hot, direct sun because their leaves are easily scorched by intense light. Violets bloom best at temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees.

Why are my African violets turning white?

The white material on the foliage of your African violets is probably powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that is common on indoor plants, such as African violets, begonias, and poinsettias. Outbreaks of powdery mildew on houseplants typically occur in winter or early spring.

Why do African violet flowers turn white?

Powdery mildew afflicts African violets. In severe cases, the leaves become covered with a powdery, white to pale gray coating. High humidity and poor air circulation contribute to the spread of this disease, which begins with a few isolated leaf spots.

Why are African violet leaves turning 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.

How much water do African violets need?

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. The fine roots of an African violet need air, which cannot penetrate a soggy wet soil mass.

African Violet Leaf Problems: Common Beginner FAQs

We’ve answered a few specific questions about African Violet leaf problems. But what if your plant is, well, just not doing so hot?

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1. My African violet has drooping leaves

There are a few reasons your plant’s leaves could be wilting, but the most likely is that it’s too dry. This is a simple one to remedy – water more!

2. My African violet leaves are curling

Temperature is the most common cause of leaf curl in African violets. Foliage that looks folded or curled upwards at the edges means the plant has probably been chilled.

3. My African violet leaves are turning white

If the plant has developed a powdery white coating on the leaves, it’s most likely to be powdery mildew. Often insect-borne, this fungal disease thrives in high humidity and poor air circulation.

4. My African violet leaves are turning pale green

Like whitening leaves, pale green leaves on an African violet are most likely down to too much direct sunlight.

5. My African violet leaves are turning yellow

Dry air is a frequent cause of leaf yellowing in African violets. These plants love high humidity, so air that’s very dry (i.e. in centrally heated rooms) can make leaves look parched.

6. My African violet leaves are turning brown

Are the brown leaves also soft and mushy? Overwatering can choke roots of oxygen and cause root rot, which shows itself in soft browning leaves.

7. My African violet leaves are turning purple

This one is fairly easy to diagnose. If the leaves, particularly on the undersides, are turning purple, it’s likely down to a nutritional deficiency.

What happens when African violet leaves turn brown?

When these leaves reach the end of their natural life cycle, they turn brown and will eventually detach from the plant completely. Don’t panic! This is completely natural.

Why are my African violets turning brown?

Just like you, African violets will sunburn if exposed to the sun for too long. This can cause your plant to develop dry, brown spots on the tips of its leaves. In the most severe cases, overexposure to sunlight can be deadly, so you’ll want to move it to a more suitable location as soon as you notice these symptoms.

What kind of soil do African violets need?

Dense soil: African violets need fluffy, well-aerated soil to thrive . Conventional soil is much too heavy for your plant’s delicate roots and retains too much water for adequate levels of oxygen to permeate. Remedy this issue with specialty African violet potting mix.

How to get rid of buildup on my plants?

If you identify buildup, gently flush the soil with room-temperature water (avoiding the leaves!). Withhold fertilization for one month before slowly resuming your normal schedule. We recommend using a liquid, urea-free fertilizer to give your plant a steady, gentle dose of nutrients every time you water.

How to keep African violets from getting wet?

Bottom-watering is the easiest way to avoid accidentally getting your plant’s leaves wet. This handy guide to watering your African violet will help you perfect your bath-time routine. If you get water on the leaves by mistake, remove as soon as possible with a soft, dry towel.

Why do my plants have brown leaves?

Overwatering: Too much water causes your plant’s soil to become saturated with the water it can’t absorb. Over time, this will choke its delicate roots and cause its leaves to brown—eventually leading to the death of your plant. Use a soil moisture meter to determine when it’s time to water.

Why are my plant leaves turning brown?

Unfortunately, the conditions in your living room are (usually!) quite different than the jungle floor, so you’ve got to take extra care to protect your plant’s leaves from sun and water. If exposed to sunlight while wet, their delicate leaves will burn and develop brown spots.

Overfertilization

African violets are fairly sensitive to fertilizers. The most common and obvious symptom of overfertilization is leaf tip burn, in other words, that the plant’s leaves become brown around the edges.

Dry air

In the tropical Usambara Mountains of East Africa––the native habitat of the African Violet––relative humidity is between seventy and eighty percent.

Bad air circulation

A related problem that causes leaves to turn brown is poor air circulation around the plant. Because African Violets require high levels of humidity, they also need an environment with good air circulation in order to prevent the growth of fungi, which can also turn leaves brown.

Wet soil

Soil that is too damp will result in brown spots and drooping leaves. If an African Violet is sitting in water-saturated soil for too long, its roots will suffocate and it will die.

Leaf scorch and water on the leaves

African violets need a good amount of bright light, but it should be filtered or indirect. Direct sunlight will cause their leaves to scorch and turn brown.

How should I fertilize my African Violet in order to avoid getting brown leaves?

African Violets are happiest if they are fed a diet of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at a ratio of 14:12:14 (7:9:5 for miniature violets) once every month during spring and summer. They prefer a fertilizer that uses ammonium nitrate instead of urea as a source of nitrogen, because urea is more likely to burn plant roots and leaves.

Why do the lower leaves on my African violet turn brown even though the rest of the plant is healthy?

It is natural for the lower leaves of African Violets to turn brown and fall off and this does not mean the plant is in bad health. You can either snip off the browning leaves or allow them to fall away naturally.

Common Reasons for Yellow African Violet Leaves

African violet leaves usually only live for about a year. It’s a common trait for the older leaves to fade and turn yellow before they die and drop off, leaving room for new foliage. If the lower leaves are not the only ones turning yellow, it’s time to investigate a few potential causes.

How to Take Care of Yellowing African Violets

In addition to drenching the soil, it’s necessary to repot your plant at least every two years. The soil will gradually lose its nutrient content and texture, making it difficult for the plant to uptake water and food.

Why does my African violet plant have white salt?

This happens because the fertilizer salts accumulate in the soil and can burn the roots. Chlorinated water is another source of buildups or toxicity of potting soil. You will also notice white salt buildups on the surface of the container. Remove this residue, or it can damage the leaves on your African Violet.

What color are African violets?

African violets are classic houseplants with beautiful blooms. The blooms on this compact plant variety vary in shades of pink, white and purple. The leaves are ruffled in shades of green or white.

What are African violets vulnerable to?

African Violets are vulnerable to pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. All these pests feed on the plant nutrients, which weakens the plant system. If you are using a pebble tray for humidity, make sure the water is refreshed every other day; else, fungus gnats can start infecting your African Violet.

What is the name of the flower that produces white flowers?

The African Violets , also known as ‘ Saintpaulia ,’ are small colorful houseplants that produce clusters of white or purple flowers over fuzzy leaves. These perennial plants often grace bedside tables with their vibrant tiny blooms.

What temperature do African violets like?

They prefer warm conditions with a temperature of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). Some varieties produce single flowers while others produce double flowers. I have listed the popular varieties of African Violet below. Pixie Blue – this one produces single flowers in beautiful shades of blue.

What humidity does an African violet plant need?

Humidity. The African Violet plant prefers humidity ranging from 50% to 80%. Continuous exposure to high humidity without any care can lead to increased susceptibility to infections. On the contrary, when put in low moisture, the African Violet plant may turn its leaves yellow.

How often should I fertilize African violets?

A balanced liquid fertilizer should be applied once or twice a month in the growing seasons. You can also use fertilizers designed for flowering plants like African Violets.