African violets are a houseplant with many seasons of beauty.
These small plants grace the home with their classic tiny violet blooms but also come in other colors and double petal varieties.
The plants have a few peccadilloes regarding water and fertilizer, but are otherwise easy to grow.
But leaves turning yellow when they aren’t supposed to?
When African violet leaves are yellow, the plant is signaling that it has either a shortage or excess of something.
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Knowing how to take care of yellowing African violets can minimize the effect, but lower leaf yellowing is a natural part of the growth process and not a cause for worry.
What's Wrong with my Leaves? What's wrong with my African Violet leaves?
As you’ve already read above, African violet leaves turning yellow is not always a cause for alarm. However, if you notice that newer leaves begin turning yellow, you’ll want to figure out what’s causing the leaves to turn yellow. Once African violet leaves turn yellow, they will not turn green again. If proper care is provided, new green leaves will grow on your African violet, but the ones that are already yellow will not become healthy again. You should remove yellow leaves from your African violet. Older leaves near the bottom naturally turn yellow as they age. When the leaves are turning yellow due to natural aging, new healthy leaves will grow.
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.
Common Reasons for Yellow African Violet Leaves
African violet leaves usually only live for about a year. It's a common trait for the older leaves to fade and turn yellow before they die and drop off, leaving room for new foliage.
If the lower leaves are not the only ones turning yellow, it's time to investigate a few potential causes. Cultural care, lighting or disease may all be potential reasons for African violet leaves turning yellow.
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There may be a problem with watering, sunlight, nutrients, or soil.
Here are some of the most common reasons for yellowing leaves:
Watering Issues
One of the most common explanations when African violet leaves are yellow is incorrect watering practices. The leaves don't tolerate water directly on them, and the foliage will respond by developing yellow or bleached, necrotic spots or ring spot.
When the water is warmer or colder than the leaf itself, the cells inside collapse and the leaf becomes discolored. There is no cure for the leaf, but you can avoid future damage by watering under the leaves.
You can also minimize damage by using room temperature water.
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My preferred solution is to water African violets from the bottom. To bottom water, fill up a tray or other container an inch deep or so with water. Then place your African violet in the water for 20 minutes to allow the plant to absorb water. After 20 minutes, remove the plant from the water.
You’ll still need to water from the top every few months to help flush out any built-up salt in the soil.
In addition to keeping water off the leaves, you should also avoid using water that is very hot or very cold on your African violets.
African violets like moisture, but not too much. When you consistently overwater a plant, you’re essentially drowning the roots, preventing them from absorbing oxygen from the soil. Typically, there will also be soggy brown spots on the leaves, some wilting, and the foliage will start to rot.
Lighting
African violet plants don't perform well in direct light and strong sun; however, they do need light to produce energy and form flowers. The best site is a southeast or west window. Place the plant 3 feet (91 cm.) away from the window for best light.
Plants that are grown further inside the home or office under unnatural lighting will turn yellow on the edges. This is a signal that the plant isn't getting sufficient light. Leaves will recover if you move the plant to a brighter location in indirect light.
Finding the perfect amount of light for African violets can be tricky. In the case of too little light, you won’t see dry patches or discolored areas; they’ll be pale and wan all over.
African violets can handle quite a lot more light than you might expect. In fact, they bloom best with some all-day dappled sun or direct sunlight in the morning. I’ve found that direct morning sun for a few hours is fine.
If necessary, you can also use supplemental grow lights.
Clearly, African violets need a lot of sunlight in order to thrive, but you should avoid placing them in direct sunlight. To ensure your African violet gets the amount of sunlight it needs, place it in a window that faces west or south. You may need to change the location of your African violet as the seasons change. A window that receives enough sunlight in the summer may not receive enough sunlight in the winter. Of course, you might discover that your African violet has even more access to sunlight during the winter if trees that normally shade your windows lose their leaves.
If you move the plant too quickly, you’ll end up with the problem of sunburn. We’re talking about moving it into direct sun for maybe 30 minutes on the first day.
Additionally, excessive direct light can cause plant sunburn, manifesting as yellowing or whitening of the leaves. If brown leaf tips or edges accompany the light green color, your plant is sunburnt, and more than just moving it to a new spot is required to fix the issue. Because sunburnt leaves won’t turn back to their original color, you will need to prune them off.
Nutrient Deficiency
Lack of food is another cause of African violet leaves turning yellow. The condition indicates the plant may need supplemental feeding to produce deep green, fuzzy leaves. Use a food prepared for African violets and dilute it according to the directions.
Fertilize once per month in the growing season. To prevent over-fertilizing, drench the soil four times per year to remove excess salts.
African violets are hungry! Labs will tell you they’re feeling faint with hunger by staring at you longingly anytime you walk in the general direction of the kitchen. Typically, it’s the older, lower leaves that will change color.
Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies are the most common, but a lack of any of the essential nutrients can result in yellowing leaves.
If you notice your African violet beginning to turn yellow around the edges of the leaves or between the veins on the leaves, a nutrient deficiency could be the problem. To correct a nutrient imbalance, first begin by repotting the African violet in new soil. Sometimes a nutrient imbalance occurs because substances built up in the previous soil that prevented the plant from accessing all the nutrients it needed.
When selecting a fertilizer for your African violets, choose one with a balanced NPK level. This means that the ratios of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the same. You can use either a powder or a liquid fertilizer. I find liquid easier to work with, but powders are usually less expensive. Either way, read the fertilizer instructions before using it. If you don’t use enough fertilizer at first, you can easily add more later.
Here's a quick guide to nutrient deficiencies and their signs:
| Nutrient | Signs of Deficiency | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Weak cell walls, poor root growth | Balanced plant food fertilizer containing calcium |
| Copper | Yellowish leaves, stunted growth | Multivitamin containing copper |
| Boron | Poor nutrient transport | Potting mix rich in boron, multivitamin, or plant food fertilizer |
| Magnesium | Yellowing that starts at the base of the leaf | Organic compost or fertilizer rich in magnesium |
| Manganese | Decline in veins and upper stem | Potting soil rich in micronutrients |
| Nitrogen | Stunted growth, pale green leaves | DIY solutions or fertilizers to increase nitrogen levels |
Improper Soil
Improper soil can also cause the leaves on an African violet to turn yellow. Another issue with soil is that leaving African violets in the same soil for years without repotting can be problematic.
The most important thing to know about soil when it comes to African violets is that you need to use a soil mix designed for African violets. A good soil mix for African violets is light and allows water to drain quickly. African violets are usually grown in small containers, which means they only have access to a small amount of soil. That’s why it’s important to repot your African violet about every 6 months.
Gently remove the African violet from its pot. I find that when I place the pot on its side, the African violet slides out easily. Loosen the potting soil that’s attached to the roots. Cut off any roots that look rotted. If your African violet has not outgrown its current pot, you can use that pot or one of the same size again. If it’s time for a larger pot, choose one just a little larger than the current one. Place the African violet in the pot. Place more soil around the plant until you reach the area right below where the leaf stems begin.
Pests
Outdoors, there are a lot of creatures that keep insect pests in check. Indoors, it’s a different story. So, when pests find their way into your home and onto your plant, it can quickly become a big problem.
One of the most common signs of pest feeding is yellowing leaves. Not all houseplant pests will cause discoloration, though. If you see any of those symptoms, it’s time to isolate the plant and spray it with a stream of lukewarm water over a sink or tub to knock off the pests. The discolored leaves may not recover, so you can prune these out if a large area of the leaf is affected.
How to Take Care of Yellowing African Violets
In addition to drenching the soil, it's necessary to repot your plant at least every two years. The soil will gradually lose its nutrient content and texture, making it difficult for the plant to uptake water and food. Use an appropriate mixture, which is usually sphagnum peat moss with some vermiculite. African violets don't do well in traditional potting soil.
If your home has low humidity, place the potted plant on a saucer filled with pebbles and a small amount of water. Change the water every few days to minimize gnats. Pinch off old leaves and remove spent blooms to encourage new growth.
With its vibrant and distinctive flowers, African Violets are a popular choice among indoor plant enthusiasts. Healthy African Violet leaves should have a deep, rich green color resulting from the intense level of chlorophyll production inside the plant cells.
Here are some additional tips to keep your African Violets thriving:
- Optimal Temperature: The ideal temperature range for African Violets is between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Too cold, the plant’s enzyme production is inhibited, causing leaves to turn yellow and light green. Temperature control can be easily achieved by moving the plant away from drafts or heaters. If your home is too hot, consider investing in a fan to circulate air and cool down the room.
- Humidity Levels: Humidity levels, depending on the species, should be kept between 40 to 60%. If it drops too low, the plant will not have enough moisture to produce new chlorophyll and maintain its rich green color. To increase humidity levels, you can cluster plants together or place them on top of a tray filled with water and pebbles. If mold or rot has already set in, you must remove the affected areas and increase air circulation around the plant.
- Use a plant probiotic. Like humans, plants are full of bacteria that can help promote plant health and nutrient absorption.
- Incorporate smart gravel. Smart gravel is a great way to improve drainage, and African Violets love it.
- Invest in a moisture meter. Soggy soil causes root rot, and that, in turn, leads to light green leaves.
You can purchase these items separately or as part of a comprehensive African Violet Plant Care Bundle.
Remember these additional points:
- African Violets can become dormant during the winter months, causing a decrease in overall growth and leaf color.
- African Violets prefer bright, indirect light, so placing them near a window is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight as it can cause leaf scorching.
- African Violet leaves turning light green is a common problem that can be easily solved with proper nutrient balance and care techniques.
At the African Violet Resource Center, we know how much joy these ornamental houseplants can bring and are dedicated to providing tips, tricks, and resources for African Violet enthusiasts.
