Fertilizer is an essential part of keeping houseplants happy-and that includes your dainty African violet. Sometimes new growers don’t fully understand the importance of a balanced diet. This leaves them scratching their heads besides lackluster plants. But developing a feeding routine can feel daunting; what’s the best type of fertilizer? This novice-friendly guide to African violet fertilizer will get you up to speed with what it takes to grow a healthy, hearty houseplant.
Like humans, plants convert nutrients into energy to function. But instead of chewing their lunch, they absorb it. Using their roots, plants soak up nutrients in the soil. Indoor plants, however, need a little helping hand. Because they grow in limited soil, and there’s no decaying matter to complete the cycle, they eventually use up all of the nutrients available.
Fertilizer replenishes the nutrients plants use to grow. Total depletion is a slow process; plants can survive for quite some time without a soil refresh. But surviving isn’t thriving, and with flowering plants like the African violet, that usually means no beautiful blooms. That’s because it takes a lot of energy to put on a colorful show. Imagine running a marathon on an empty stomach and no sleep-you might not be up to the challenge.
There’s a reason you can’t survive on pizza rolls alone. They don’t contain all of the nutrients you need to function. (Shoot!) Your plant needs a balanced diet too. That’s why most commercial fertilizers contain three primary elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
When you look at the product label you will see three numbers, such as 9-3-6 or 10-10-10. These numbers represent the percentage of a specific nutrient. It is an industry standard that those numbers will always represent nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They will always be in that order.
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Excluding oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon there are currently 15 or 16 essential elements that a plant needs. Each of the essential elements serves an important function. What do they do? A simplified way to remember what the big three do is: up, down, all around.
Fertilizers - Part I - Fertilizer Basics & How I Fertilize African Violets
African violets are one of the most charming blooming houseplants available. They have a sweet, old-fashioned innocence that appeals to everyone. There are just a few straightforward rules for growing African violets. Water and light needs are two of these, but just as important is how to feed African violet plants.
Almost all plants need proper macro- and micro-nutrients as well as soluble vitamins, and African violets are no exception. African violet fertilizer needs to be water soluble and in a ratio especially developed for the plant’s needs.
The type of food is crucial when feeding African violets because some sources say nutrients can actually harm the plant. Do African Violets Need Fertilizer? African violets require fairly low maintenance. They do need proper exposure, heat, and keeping water off those leaves, but they usually keep producing those sweet flowers much of the year. To keep your violet in good health, it needs to be fed. When, how and with what are questions we will be answering.
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The Big Three: NPK and Their Roles
- Nitrogen (N): Plants absorb more nitrogen than any other nutrient. Nitrogen fuels new growth and is essential for plant health. Nitrogen helps with green vertical growth. Nitrogen is the most needed nutrient for plants. Nitrogen promotes green growth and helps with other biological processes. When a plant is lacking nitrogen symptoms of deficiencies will show up in older leaves first. We will also see poor new growth that will be lighter in color. Most species and older cultivars of violets naturally have a light green color to their leaves. Knowing what your plant should look like will help determine if the plant is lacking nitrogen.
- Phosphorus (P): Plants need phosphorus to transfer and store energy. This nutrient also aids in photosynthesis. Phosphorus helps with roots (and flowers). Phosphorus is the second most needed nutrient. Phosphorus helps with root development, encourages flowers, and other biological functions. When a plant is deficient in phosphorus we often see leaf tips on older leaves browning following by turning dark green with a purplish hue on the backside of the leaf or the petiole. This can be challenging to diagnose because many of our violet cultivars have a red back.
- Potassium (K): Potassium strengthens and fortifies plants, which helps them resist disease and grow strong root systems. Potassium helps with the overall plant health. It will aid in the movement of water, nutrient flow, carbohydrates, and other biological processes. When a plant is lacking potassium we will see weak stems, yellowing of older leaf tissue (chlorosis) followed by localized death of tissue.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
Now that you know why you need fertilizer, let’s talk about how to pick one that works for you. There are about as many fertilizer options as there are species of plants.
Synthetic vs. Organic Fertilizers
First, you’ll decide whether you’ll use fertilizer made from man-made or organic materials. Organic materials like manure, fish, and seaweed return nutrients to the soil the same way as in nature, through decay. Synthetic fertilizers are chemically formulated for a specific balance of the big three. Synthetic fertilizer is more popular indoors for two reasons: it’s generally odorless, and you can control the dosage, which is important in small containers.
Many growers are ambivalent as to whether they should use an organic or non-organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are quite natural. Non-organic fertilizers are derived from geological sources, i.e., naturally-occurring minerals, or somehow chemically manipulated. Organic fertilizers use and often smellier than non-organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers do not offer the convenience of non-organic fertilizers. (e.g., slaughter animals). Organic fertilizers are frequently less predictable than non-organic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers do not release their elements in consistent amounts. You might choose non-organic fertilizers. However, like people and reproduce, too much can be harmful.
Liquid vs. Solid Fertilizer
Fertilizer comes in liquid or solid form. The two most popular types of African violet fertilizer are concentrated liquids and soluble powder. Both are mixed into your plant’s water, delivering a nutrient boost as it takes up water through its roots. You may also encounter granular or tablet-form fertilizer as you start your search; these are better suited for outdoor plants.
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Violet Foods come in a variety of forms. Some offer benefits. Some Violet Foods come in concentrated liquids. When choosing a Violet Food, make sure that it is 100 percent water soluble. This is important for two reasons. Without the solubility of the fertilizer, you cannot use it in a self-watering device. (e.g., WaterShip watering device). This is important for two reasons: you cannot use it in a self-watering device.
Fertilizers come in forms in which all the elements are immediately available to the plant. Other fertilizers are not immediately available. Some fertilizers are manufactured into coated granules called prill. These fertilizers are especially for those who do not have a lot of experience with them. However, due to many factors, the results can sometimes be unpredictable.
Species-Specific Products
Although African violets are easy to please, they can be extremely delicate. When it comes to fertilizer, your biggest risks are burning your plant’s sensitive roots or shocking its system with too much at once. Different plants need different levels of the big three (nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus). Fertilizer made specifically for African violets is made with their preferred balance in mind.
We recommend avoiding products that contain urea, a synthetic chemical widely used in fertilizers to replenish nitrogen. Typically urea is not plant ready until converted to ammonium by bacteria. That bacteria may or may not be present in a potting mix. Using only one formulation of nitrogen can also affect the soil pH (acidity or alkalinity). It is best to use a product that has at least two formulations of nitrogen such as ammoniacal and nitrate.
About African Violet Fertilizer: Not all plant foods are alike. African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source. In certain conditions, urea can burn the plant’s roots. A formula that uses ammonium nitrate may be a little bit more costly but is gentler on the roots. In instances where the plant is not blooming well, use a formula with a higher amount of phosphorus.
Soil pH and temperature of the growing space will also affect the availability and uptake of nutrients by the plants. Traditionally speaking most plants, including violets, prefer a soil pH around 6. This will allow all of the macro and micro nutrients to be available for uptake. Both warm and cool growing conditions can affect the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen. Ideally it is best to keep the temperature between 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 27°C). Remember that grow lights will produce some heat and keeping a thermometer on your stands will allow you to monitor.
Fertilizing Schedule
Mixing plant food into water is a common and efficient method. It’s important, however, to make sure you choose a product that is 100% water-soluble. There are two routes you can take: fertilize your plant at regular intervals, or every time you water. With the former, the rule of thumb is to fertilize during the growing season. Follow the product instructions (you’ll usually apply between every four to six weeks) and stay on schedule!
These little plants need feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during their growing period. Prior to feeding, moisten the soil well. Use a liquid or soluble powder formula that will provide instant delivery. If you are using a concentrated liquid, follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution.
You can also opt for a more continuous option. Adding a gentle liquid plant food every time you water or change the reservoir provides a gentle, steady dose of energy to your plant.
The best time for fertilizing African violets is in spring when the plant is actively growing. Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process. However, considering that blooming deprives the plant of energy, it would seem logical that the nutrients it uses need to be put back into soil for plant uptake.
Houseplant Pro Tip: There is some debate about whether African violets should be fertilized in the winter since, technically, their growing season can last all year.
Additional Tips for Healthy African Violets
Municipal water supplies can contain chlorine and should be allowed to sit for 24 hours before preparing African violet fertilizer. Excess chlorine is toxic to the plants. For a more organic route, you can also use worm castings, diluted compost tea or fish emulsion.
Violets need to become saturated, and then allow the excess water to drain completely. Do not allow them to sit in water. Remove any fertilizer or hard water deposits on the rim of clay pots.
Other Essential Elements: Excluding nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon there are currently 15 or 16 essential elements that a plant needs. Micronutrients are not the same as trace elements. Micronutrients are essential elements; trace elements are not. Other nutrients include: oxygen (O), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo). Deficiencies in potassium or calcium can cause leaves to become cracked or brittle. This can lead to yellow or brown spots on the leaves and stems. It can also affect a plant's ability to properly absorb water and nutrients. Symptoms of this are pale leaves and diminished flowering.
