African violets are popular houseplants known for their vibrant blooms and relatively easy care. However, like all plants, they are susceptible to certain diseases. Crown rot, also known as root rot, is a fungal disease that can quickly become fatal if not addressed promptly. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for crown rot is essential for maintaining healthy African violets.
African violets are easily the most popular flowering houseplants in America. Their popularity arises from the fact that they are easy to grow and can bloom for 10 to 12 months of the year. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned grower, African Violet Resource Center has everything you need to help your plant grow vibrant and strong.
African violets are a popular houseplant because of their vibrant blooms and ease of care. But even with careful attention, African violets can suffer from various crown problems. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common African violet crown problems and how to prevent or treat them.
Identifying African Violet Rot Types
Several types of rot can affect African violets. It is important to distinguish between them for effective treatment:
- Root Rot: Caused by the fungus Cylindrocarpon, it starts in the roots and progresses slowly.
- Stem Rot: Often fatal, stem rot may show subtle symptoms with grayish leaves.
- Crown Rot: Characterized by a mushy, dark crown, it is also typically fatal.
Root rot and stem rot can appear similar in African violets. In the early stages, both root rot and stem rot can result in the leaves becoming pale and plant growth slowing down. However, if you look closely, it’s possible to distinguish root rot from stem rot.
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Another type of rot that affects African violets is crown rot. Generally, you can distinguish this type of rot because the crown is mushy and dark. Once again, crown rot is usually fatal for African violets. There is an intensive remedy you can try on African violets with crown rot, but it’s not likely to be successful.
Causes of Root Rot
Root rot is caused by a fungus, but certain conditions allow the fungus to develop and affect your African violets. Being aware of the conditions that cause root rot will allow you to better prevent root rot from occurring in the first place.
The most common issue leading to root rot is watering. Don’t water your African violet more often than it needs to be watered, and make sure that whatever container you use for your African violet has adequate drainage to allow excess water to escape. Allow the soil to almost dry out before watering again.
The exact timing for watering African violets differs depending on several factors. The best way to know it’s time to water your African violet is to check the soil. If the top inch or two of soil is dry, it’s time to water.
While you don’t want to underwater your African violets either, underwatering takes much longer to have a negative effect on African violets. Some of the symptoms of root rot, like the leaves turning yellow, are also symptoms of lack of water. Some people assume that their African violets affected by root rot need more water and make the problem even worse. Always check to see how dry the soil is before watering.
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The soil also plays a role in creating the wet, soggy environment that allows root rot to develop. Soil used for African violets needs to be quick-draining. For this reason, we recommend using potting soil designed specifically for African violets. An African violet soil mix is typically lighter and allows water to move away from the roots quickly.
Drastic changes in temperature can play a role in the development of root rot as well. If the temperature is too cold or too hot, this can damage your African violet, including the roots. Since stress weakens your African violet, it can contribute to root rot as well. Try to keep conditions as consistent as possible to keep damage from occurring to your African violet’s roots.
Recognizing the Symptoms
It’s more likely you’ll notice symptoms above the soil line before you notice the damage to the roots. In the beginning stages of root rot, an African violet’s leaves will lose color, appearing yellow or gray. As the disease worsens, the leaves will begin turning black or brown.
Although the leaves will lighten at first just like with root rot, grayish leaves rather than yellowish leaves are a sign of stem rot. In fact, it’s possible that the leaves will barely change in appearance. Unfortunately, stem rot is usually fatal for African violets.
To see if an African violet has root rot, take a look at the roots. Decayed roots will be brown or black and feel mushy.
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Treating Root Rot
Unlike some other forms of rot, African violets can sometimes recover from root rot. If you catch root rot early enough, your plant can recover. Since fungus in the soil causes root rot, you’ll need to repot an infected African violet in new soil to save it. Be sure to use soil that drains well; soil mix designed for African violets is best.
You’ll likely need a new container when you repot. Since you’ll be removing any infected roots, your African violet probably will need a smaller container than it did before. Before placing the African violet with root rot in a new container, you need to remove any damaged roots. An African violet can usually survive as long as no more than ⅔ of the roots are removed. If you see that you need to remove more than this amount, your African violet is unlikely to be able to survive.
As your African violet recovers, make sure you don’t overwater or allow water to pool up in the plant’s container. Wait until the soil is almost dry before watering again. Providing good care will help your African violet recover and prevent root rot from occurring in the future.
Root rot will not go away on its own. If you allow the rot to spread, the damage will eventually kill the African violet.
Preventing Crown Problems
Prevention is always the best medicine, and this is especially true when it comes to the delicate nature of the African violet. One of the most important things you can do is to water your African violet from the bottom. This allows the roots to absorb moisture without the leaves getting wet, which can lead to crown rot.
If you notice any yellowing or wilting leaves, it’s important to remove them promptly. These leaves can harbor diseases that can spread to the rest of the plant.
First, be sure to water your plants properly. African violets need to be kept moist, but not wet. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Second, provide adequate lighting for your plants. They need bright, indirect light in order to bloom well. Third, fertilize regularly with a balanced African Violet Plant Food specifically designed for African violets. Finally, don’t forget to deadhead your plants. This means removing spent blooms as well as any yellow or brown leaves.
It’s also important to repot your African violet at least once a year. During this time, you’ll refresh the soil, which allows your African violet access to more nutrients. Repotting does place stress on your African violet, but it’s necessary for your plant to continue thriving. Regarding root rot, repotting is the perfect time to check for damage to the roots.
While you can’t reverse the damage of rot in roots that have already been infected, you can prevent root rot from spreading to other roots and save your African violet.
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Addressing a Tight Crown
There are several reasons why an African violet’s crown might be tight. This is distinguishable by looking at the center of the plant. The main symptom of a tight crown is the center leaves growing tightly together, and there is no space in between the leaves. The most common reason for a tight crown is that the plant is getting too much of either fertilizer, light, or heat. Too much fertilizer can cause a tight crown in your African violet.
There will be a different treatment plant depending on the cause of your African violet’s tight crown. If you’ve investigated the causes and decided that your plant is suffering from one of the causes listed above, simply do the opposite of that cause and it should help your plant get on the road to recovery. Additionally, you will want to treat your plant for possible disease as a result of being exposed to the causes listed here.
Treating Crown Distortion
A distorted crown can be unsightly, but unless the problem has gotten way out of hand, it’s not likely to be too serious. If your African violet’s crown becomes distorted, it is likely due to one of two things: either the plant is not getting enough light, or it is getting too much water.
If your plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will become elongated and the stem will stretch out in an attempt to reach the light. If your plant is getting too much water, the leaves will become soft and mushy and may fall off.
Treating African violet crown distortion is not really that tricky. If you believe it’s caused by not getting enough light, simply place the plant somewhere it can get more light, or supplement the light it does get with some grow lights.
Table 1: Common African Violet Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Symptoms | Prevention & Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Crown & Root Rot | Soft, mushy crown and roots; drooping older leaves; stunted, black, dying younger leaves | Use sterilized potting soil, clean containers, avoid planting too deep, discard severely affected plants |
| Botrytis Blight | Small water-soaked lesions on leaf undersides | Remove dead plant material, provide better air circulation, avoid wetting foliage |
| Cyclamen Mites | Severe stunting of center leaves, leaf curling, hairy grayish new leaves | Space plants to prevent spread, isolate infested plants, use miticides |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on leaves, stems, and leaf crotches; stunted and distorted leaves | Inspect new plants carefully, remove with alcohol-dipped swab, use insecticidal soap or pyrethrins |
| Failure to Flower | Flower buds fail to open, turn brown, and fall off | Maintain favorable environmental conditions (temperature, soil aeration, moisture) |
| Petiole Rot | Rust-colored spot where leaf stem touches the pot | Avoid over-fertilization, use salt-free water, tape or foil on pot rim |
| Water Spots | Yellow or white ring and line patterns on leaves | Avoid contact with cold water |
