African violet care guide

African violets bloom almost all year on a windowsill. Their fuzzy leaves and purple, pink, blue, or white flowers fit in a small pot. They need a few things done a certain way, but once you know the rules, they are steady bloomers.

Botanists moved them from Saintpaulia to Streptocarpus in 2015. Most tags still say Saintpaulia.

Light

Give them bright, indirect light. An east window is ideal. A north window works in summer. Keep them back from hot south and west windows, or behind a sheer curtain.

Light is the main reason African violets stop blooming. Dark green leaves that reach up and long leaf stems mean too little light. Pale, bleached leaves mean too much.

African violets bloom well under grow lights. Many growers give them 10 to 12 hours of light a day.

Water

Water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. Use room-temperature water. Cold water on the leaves leaves pale rings and spots.

Water from the bottom, or pour water onto the soil under the leaves. Read how to bottom water houseplants step by step. Empty any water left in the saucer after 30 minutes.

Soggy soil causes crown rot. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a light African violet mix, or regular potting mix with extra perlite.

African violets bloom best in small pots. A good rule is a pot about one third as wide as the leaf spread. Most need a pot no bigger than 10 to 12 cm (4 to 5 in).

Repot once or twice a year into fresh mix, even into the same size pot. If the plant has grown a bare “neck” between the soil and the leaves, set it deeper when you repot. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Average room air is fine. More humidity helps buds open. Keep them between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F). Keep leaves off cold glass in winter.

Feeding

Feed with African violet fertilizer at quarter strength each time you water. Or use half strength every two weeks. Flush the pot with plain water once a month to rinse out salts.

Pruning

Pinch off spent flowers and their stems. Remove the oldest, outer row of leaves once they look tired.

Side shoots, called suckers, crowd the plant and stop it blooming. Pull them out with tweezers while small. Each African violet looks best with one crown.

Getting more flowers

1. More light. This fixes most problems.
2. A small pot.
3. Regular, weak feeding.
4. Suckers removed.
5. Fresh soil once or twice a year.

Propagation

African violets grow from a single leaf.

1. Cut a healthy leaf from the middle row with 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of stem.
2. Set the stem in damp African violet mix, or in a small glass of water.
3. Keep it warm and bright, out of direct sun.
4. Tiny plants sprout at the base in six to ten weeks.
5. Separate them once they have a few leaves each.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
No flowers	Not enough light, a big pot, or suckers
Pale rings or spots on leaves	Cold water on the leaves
Soft, mushy center	Crown rot from too much water
Pale, bleached leaves	Too much direct sun
Long leaf stems reaching up	Not enough light
Bare neck below the leaves	Normal aging. Repot it deeper.
Buds that dry up	Dry air or a draft

Pests

Mealybugs hide in the crown and under leaves. Cyclamen mites make the center leaves tight, twisted, and fuzzy. Toss a plant with cyclamen mites so they do not spread. Fungus gnats mean the soil stays too wet. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists African violet as non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is one of the best flowering plants for a home with pets.

Varieties

• Single flowers have one row of petals.
• Double flowers have extra rows, like little roses.
• Ruffled and fringed types have frilly petal edges.
• Miniatures stay under 15 cm (6 in) wide.
• Trailing types have many crowns and spill over the pot.
• Chimera types have flowers with a stripe down each petal, like a pinwheel.
• Variegated types have leaves edged in cream or pink.