Like most plants, African Violets respond very well to consistent growing conditions and careful grooming.

Growing Conditions:

~Although originally found in the cool forests of eastern Africa, the hybridized African Violets available in the USA are considered house plants and should only be grown indoors.

~Despite their origins, African Violets are not “tropical” plants. They don’t like direct sun nor do they like excessive heat. Although ideal conditions for individual plants may vary, most African Violets like 10 to 12 hours of indirect bright light from an eastern window, or a southern exposure window with a light filtering curtain. Artificial light is excellent and you will find African Violets thriving under fluorescent lights. If you have an otherwise healthy plant that refuses to bloom, check that it’s receiving sufficient light. If using artificial light, you may need to move the plant closer to the light to get it to bloom. Also check the temperature. See below.

~African Violets generally like the same temperatures that people like, not too cold or too hot. Generally, African Violets will thrive where the temperature is no cooler than 65 degrees at night and no warmer than 75 degrees during the day. If you grow your plants on a window sill, monitor the temperature, especially in the winter months when they can easily freeze to death on a drafty sill. Plants will go dormant and will not bloom if the temperature is consistently cool. Too warm temperatures can affect the color variegations of blossoms and leaves in some varieties of African Violets.

~There are several methods of watering African Violets. The easiest way to water a plant is from the bottom by placing the pot in a shallow saucer and adding water to the saucer. After 20 minutes, remove any water in the saucer that is not absorbed by the plant. You can also water African Violets from the top, but be careful not to get water on the leaves. If you do get water on the leaves, carefully blot the leaves dry with a paper towel and make sure the leaves are totally dry before replacing under light, otherwise, the moisture will magnify the light and may cause spots to form on the leaves. It’s a good idea to let the soil get a little dry between watering.

~Fertilizing plants each time you water is highly recommended. For best results, use a fertilizer specifically made for African Violets and carefully follow the directions that come with the fertilizer. When in doubt, it’s better to under fertilize a plant than to over fertilize it.

Grooming:

~Spent blossoms and limp, yellow or deformed leaves should be removed promptly to prevent decay as well as to allow the plant to direct all of its energy to producing new growth. However, after awhile, removing old leaves from the stem will result in a plant with a crusty “neck”. When this neck is clearly visible above the edge of the pot, it’s time to re-pot your plant. Timely repotting is the best way to keep your plant blooming and looking attractive. If your African Violet has a very , very long neck and is beginning to look more and more like a palm tree, you may need to take some drastic measures!

~ Sometimes a plant puts out “suckers” or baby plants at the base of a mature leaf. These “suckers” should be removed immediately. Usually they can be plucked out with a tweezers or a thin sharp knife. Failure to remove the suckers will result in a deformed plant as the suckers begin to grow. If you remove the sucker carefully, you may be able to root it in soil and propagate it.

~As with all houseplants, your African Violets should be inspected periodically for evidence of bugs and disease. New plants should be isolated and inspected every day for at least a week to make sure they are not infested. African Violets are subject to various insects but aphids and thrips are most common. Aphids can be found on leaves and stems. Thrips are found in the blossoms. Most houseplant insecticides sold in supermarkets and garden stores can be used on African Violets. Check the label to be sure. It’s a good idea to remove all flowers, even those that have not yet bloomed, before treating your plants with an insecticide. Bugs can hide in the unopened buds.

For more information on growing and cultivating African Violets, please visit the websites listed in our Directory of Related Links.