African violets have long been favorite house plants. By understanding their basic and simple cultural needs, they will grow and bloom for a long time.
Light: Several hours of sun daily or artificial grow lights are needed for healthy plants. Too much sun turns foliage yellow and causes the leaf edges to burn. Too little light produces lovely dark green leaves but few, if any, blooms. Plants should be turned a complete 360 degrees every month so that all leaves will receive an equal share of sunlight. An easy way to do this is to give each plant a quarter turn each week when watering. Remember to always turn the plants the in the same direction.
Temperature: When grown indoors, African violets will be comfortable if you are. Daytime temperature should be around 72 to 75 degrees; night, in the low 60's. Excessive heat and excessive cold (below 55 degrees) will harm your plants.
Watering: Proper watering depends on the size of the pot, the weather, and the plant itself. Use tepid rather than cold water.
Fertilizing: Use balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-5, once a month during spring, summer and fall. Another option is to use diluted fertilizer and feed each time you water during the growing season. Never fertilizer sick or newly potted plants.
Soil: The soil should be porous, almost fluffy. Many commercial mixtures potting mixes are available.
Follow these easy steps, watch for insects and disease, and enjoy these beautiful houseplant.
Linda Whetsell, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
Easy to grow and maintain, the inexpensive African violet packs a powerhouse of color and cheer in a plant small enough to fit on a windowsill.
Adequate light, regular fertilization, and constant moisture are all these beauties require.
Morning sun from an east- or north-facing window will keep plants in bloom virtually non-stop year round. Fluorescent light exposure of ten to twelve hours per day is also adequate.
Fertilize with a liquid plant food labeled specifically for African violets or a general fertilizer with balanced N/P/K ratio.
Water when the soil surface is slightly dry to the touch. Don't over water or allow plants to stand in water. Roots will quickly decay, and the plant will die.
Avoid splashes of cold water on the foliage, as this will lead to a dead spot on the leaf where the water has contacted it. This spot is unsightly but harmless. Use tepid water instead and periodically rinse dusty plants under a stream of warm water. Allow to dry away from the sunlight.
Give an African violet these bare essentials and step back and behold the beauty and cheer that will grace your windowsills even during the cold dreary days or winter or those long summer days when it's too hot to be anywhere but inside!
Marva Lanier, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
Beautiful blooms of the African violet (Saintpaulia inonatha) can be a delight in the grey days of winter. When spring seems long overdue, the glorious colors of the African violet blooms can brighten our days. When placed in an east window, they will produce an abundance of blooms. Several hundred cultivars are available, originating from crossing with many different wild forms native to tropical east Africa.
African violets are easy to grow and propagate. Light is a major requirement for best flowering in the home. A warm temperature of 60 to 75 degrees F. is required for growth. To propagate, select a large, healthy leaf and cut it from the plant with a one-inch petiole attached. Use a razor blade or a sharp knife. Specialized African violet potting soil is available at local stores. Fill a small plastic pot with soil. Using a pencil, make a hole in the soil and insert the cutting up to the leaf blade. Keep moist, and in a few weeks, you will see the cluster of plants appear. When the plants are four to five months old, divide the crown into single plants. You will have enough to share with your friends or to give as gifts.
Wincie Caskey, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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