How do you take care of the African violet, so it is fresh and gives beautiful flowers? This question about African Violet Care is frequently asked, stay with me until the end to get the answer; one of the most beautiful and popular houseplants you can find in any house these days. You should note that the plant is susceptible, especially in watering; in this article, we want to explain all the points you need to know about African Violet Care so that you could have a fresh and healthy plant and how to propagate it, so stay with us.
African violet is one of the small plants in your home and workplace that has beautiful flowers in white, blue or purple colors and is very easy to keep as long as the water does not fall on its leaves and you can provide it with moisture, light and fertilization.
Learn more about violets: Introduction of African violets.
The scientific name of African violet is Saintpaulia ionantha, and its English name is African Violet; it is from the Gesneriaceae family, and this plant is native to Tanzania and around the southeast of Kenya, as well as the tropical part of East Africa. Many say that for the first time, this plant was found by a German soldier named “Saint Paul” in 1892 in the city of Tanzania, and that’s why the name Saint Paulia was chosen for it.
If we want to examine its botany, this plant attracts everyone’s attention due to its beautiful flowers and dark green velvety leaves; of course, note that in some varieties, the edge of the leaves can be white or black. In different varieties of African violets, the flowers can be blue and purple, white and pink, crimson and red, and the number of flowers can differ in different types.
Scientific Name | Saintpaulia spp |
Common Name | African Violet |
Family | Gesneriaceae |
Native Areas | Africa , Tanzania, Kenya, and other countries in East Africa |
Soil pH | Acidic, neutral |
Size | Generally 6-8 inches in diameter and 6-8 inches in height |
Light | Moderate to bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight |
Watering | Watering from the bottom of the pot, Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. |
Temperature | Prefers temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
Common houseplant Problems | Overwatering, underwatering, too much direct sunlight, pests such as mealybugs or spider mites |
What is the reason for African violet not flowering?
In a separate article, I have covered the reason for the non-flowering of this plant, and one of these reasons can be the received light. Also, remember to feed the plant with high-potassium fertilizers.
African Violet Care
This plant needs almost a lot of light, moderate watering, very low humidity and a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want your plant to be always blooming and fresh, you must provide it with all the tips related to the African Violet care conditions, which we will examine below.
How much light does African violet need to grow?
One of the main needs of violets is moderate to high but indirect light; try to place the plant where direct sunlight during the day, especially at noon, does not harm it, and be sure to use filtered light behind the curtain for this plant. Many have tested this plant in low light and have not had any problems keeping it, but the light is one of the main conditions for flowering. This plant needs at least 6 to 8 hours of filtered sunlight to see its beautiful flowers.
If you live in an apartment that does not have enough light for care, you can use grow lights and fluorescent lights for care (white light). One of the main problems that can happen to your plant if there is not enough light is wilting and falling leaves. So if you see such a problem, move the plant to a place with proper light.
What is the best temperature for keeping African violets?
For the growth and flowering of African violet, the suitable temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but its ideal temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and this plant can withstand temperatures up to 53-56 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. It is sensitive to low temperatures, and if you keep this plant in the yard or balcony, be sure to move it inside the house in the cold seasons of the year and do not put it near a window where the cold passes through.
What is the best time and how to water the African violet?
African violets are sensitive to overwatering, and you should not allow drops of water to fall on their leaves because it will cause the leaves to die. Watering from under the pot is the best way to water this plant. In this method, you fill the bottom of a pot with water and place the pot in it for about 30 minutes so that the plant absorbs the required water from the holes under the pot (try to use water without salts and at the same ambient temperature).
By doing this, you will make the roots of the violet absorb water and not harm its leaves. Next time, water when the soil in the pot has dried to a depth of 0.78-1.18 inches.
How much moisture do African violets need?
African violet flower needs very low humidity to avoid dry air because dry air causes their buds to dry. To provide air humidity, you can place your pots together or a bucket of water near your plant to provide relative humidity. As we said, do not spray this plant in any way, it will cause its death. The best way to provide moisture for this plant is to build an island or freeze the water next to the pot.
What soil should we use for African violets?
African violet soil is recommended. You can make this soil at home very easily and at a reasonable price. Note that the African violet needs relatively acidic soil for flowering; one of the good combinations can be peat moss 60% + perlite 40% or cocopeat + perlite. Be sure to disinfect the purchased soil before using it.
How much and how to fertilize the African violet?
For better flowering and growth, you can use fertilizers that contain higher phosphorus and nitrogen (if flowering is reduced, be sure to feed the plant with 121236 fertilizer) so that you give the fertilizer to the plant in the form of irrigation every two weeks. But if your plant is weak in flowering, increase phosphorus. You can also use special fertilizers for indoor plants sold in stores. Note that after several months of fertilizing, remove the remaining excess salts from the pot by watering and washing the soil so that your plant does not suffer.
The best time to repot the African violet
The roots of this beautiful plant are sensitive and noble, and when repotting, be very careful not to damage the roots and check the drainage of the pot every year. If the plant’s roots were removed, change the pot to a larger size because choosing a pot that is too big will waste the plant’s energy on root growth, and the plant’s roots will be smaller. Try to use a plastic pot for this plant so that temperature fluctuation does not cause the plant to die. It is advised not to use metal pots for this plant, especially when you place the pot next to the window where the sun shines.
African violet flowering
Several factors are needed for the flowering of this plant, such as sufficient light, a suitable pot for the plant, and timely feeding. Try to provide all these conditions for the violet to have a beautiful and flowering plant.
How to propagate African violets
You can propagate this plant differently, including dividing the plant, cuttings it, and planting seeds. But the best way to propagate African violets is to take leaf cuttings and plant them. First, remove the appropriate leaf from the tail end of the leaf with a sharp knife. First, irrigate the soil and then place the cuttings in the soil until they take root. If you put nylon on the cuttings, more moisture in the environment will increase the speed of rooting.
If you have a lot of patience, you can use the division of the plant. For this, you should allow the plant to grow until you can see the leaves on the side of the plant, then carefully separate these leaves and plant them in another pot.
For seed cultivation, you must prepare fresh seeds with suitable germination capacity and plant them in the bed. The right temperature of 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit and the right light are needed for the growth of the seeds. Remember to spray water on the surface of the soil.
But I recommend you use the leaf-cutting method for reproduction.
African violet species
This beautiful plant has hundreds of species and hybrids, from miniature violets to trailing species! Different species have white to purple flowers, and the only point that differentiates them and they are classified according to that is their size.
- Miniature African violet: less than 7.87 inches wide
- Standard African violet: 7.87 to 15.74 inches wide
- Large African violet: more than 15.74 inches wide
African violet problems and diseases
The curling of the leaves and their dryness: can be caused by the hot and dry place of storage and the need for watering, so moisten the environment a little without using dusting.
Brown spots on the leaves: dusting in the sun or watering from above is the cause. The plant does not need dusting; watering should be done according to the mentioned method.
Wilting of leaves: the air is the cause of wilting and falling of African violet leaves. To treat it, immediately move the plant to a place with a high temperature.
Drying of the edges of the leaves: burns caused by too much fertilizer, soil salinity, accumulation of salt and scale on the soil, and PH problems cause such failures.
Thinning of the leaves: If your plant’s leaves are thin and large, it is a sign that it is time to repot, so carefully move the plant to a new pot.
Fading of flowers: the cause of this problem is dusting; stop dusting and choose other methods to provide moisture.
Rotting of stems and flowers: overwatering has caused this problem; take cuttings from the leaves immediately.
check out 15 Common Houseplant Diseases
Summary of African Violet Care
In this article, we tried to provide you with everything you need to know about African Violet Care. If you have any questions or problems, ask in the comment section.