How to Care for African Violets
African violets are wonderful small houseplants that produce clusters of flowers in white, pink, or purple flowers. They often come in multi-shaded colors, too! They have fuzzy leaves that kids LOVE to touch.
About African Violets
African violets are native to the tropical rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. A German colonial officer named Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire identified these plants back in 1892 and sent seeds back to Germany. The genus came to be called Saintpaulia. The plants have recently been re-categorized into a different genus, Streptocarpus. Despite their common name, they are not actually a type of violet.
African violets do best and produce the most blooms in bright, indirect light. Even though they are easy to care for, they can go through fussy stages. Don’t worry, they usually recover quite easily!
How to Plant African Violets
Use an actual African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil, as long as it is well-draining.
Plant them in small pots and repot every few years to mix in fresh soil. African violets are encouraged to bloom more when a bit pot-bound, so don’t be too quick to give them more space.
When repotting African violets, don’t plant them any deeper than they were already planted so as not to bury the crown of the plant. The stems can be susceptible to rot if kept too moist.
How to Care for African Violets
Watering
Keep the soil lightly moist. Be careful not to overwater, as their soft stems are very susceptible to rot.
Water African violets from the under the foliage or from the bottom by letting them sit in a pan of water for a few minutes. This is because the leaves are susceptible to rot and fungal spots if kept in high humidity.
Use room-temperature water. Chilled water can leave marks on the leaves if you accidentally get any on them.
Lighting
African violets prefer bright, indirect light. Keep them at least a few feet away from bright south or west facing windows to avoid buring their sensitive foliage. An east or north facing window is the best lighting.
You can also use artificial lighting such as fluorescent or LED bulbs to supplement the natural lighting.
If you see thin, dark green leaves and leggy stems, the plant is getting too little light. If you see light green or bleached leaves, this indicate too much light.
Fertilizing
During the spring and summer seasons, fertilize every 2 weeks with a high phosphorous plant food. Be careful to only start fertilizing when the plant appears to need an extra boost. This is when it shows slow, thin growth, or pale or yellowing leaves.
Since most soil mixes come infused with plenty of nutrients, over-fertilizing is a more common problem than under-fertilizing.
General Care
African violets prefer conditions that are 65°F or warmer. Keep them away from drafty windows in winter.
Plants should be shifted to larger pots as they grow. But remember, keeping African violets slightly root-bound can encourage them to bloom.
Since the leaves are fuzzy, they have a tendency to collect dust and dirt. Use a small, soft-bristled paintbrush to gently clean them off.
Pests/Diseases
Cyclamen mites can affect African violets. Since they are nearly impossible to remove completely, it’s best to dispose of the infected plant. Isolate any nearby plants is recommended.
Spider mites and can also affect them.
Powdery Mildew may appear on stems and leaves.
African Violet Fun Facts
Violets (Viola), although they are unrelated to African violets, are one of the February birth flowers, so potted African violets are often a bright gift for a February birthday.
The violet symbolizes loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness.
