African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha), known for their vibrant foliage and jewel-like flowers, are a popular species of houseplant, native to East Africa. They have soft, velvety green leaves that are often burgundy on the undersides. While the flowers look like violets, they're not related to them. These plants are often sold by their botanical name Saintpaulia, but have recently been incorporated into the Streptocarpus genus.
While African violets are typically grown indoors, some gardeners are curious about the possibility of growing them outdoors. While nearly every grower will caution against growing African violets outside, there are always a few voices that chime in otherwise.
This guide explores the challenges and considerations for growing African violets outdoors, offering tips to help your plants thrive.
A typical modern African violet hybrid.
Understanding African Violet Needs
African violets are best grown indoors for several reasons, most stemming from the environment in which they evolved. To understand why it's such a challenge to grow African violets outdoors, it's essential to know their natural environment.
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Beneath the jungle canopy, African violets grew accustomed to pleasant temperatures, protection from the sun, and a humid atmosphere. African violets are native to the rain forest of East Africa. They are found growing on rocks, normally steep surfaces, of the forest floor. Because they are shaded by the taller foliage of the forest, African Violets prefer a bright, indirect light.
Most regions are too hot or too cold, too sunny or too wet, or have too low or unstable levels of humidity.
African violets get their common name from their superficial resemblance to true violets. Imposter Alert: African violets aren’t actually violets at all! Each member of the African violet species list belongs to the Saintpaulia genus and has no relation to Violaceae-the plant family that contains hundreds of species of true violets.
Climate Considerations
It might seem extreme, but we can’t stress this enough: there are very few places African violets can survive outside. African violets do best in daytime temperatures between 70-90ºF and nighttime temperatures between 65-70ºF.
They also need warmth (no less than 15°C) and suffer in draughts. It is safer to be warm then cool when it comes to these plants. The African violet is a tropical plant and doesn’t like cool conditions. Keep temperatures above 60 °F (16° C) throughout the year. And be careful: a spot too close to a cold window, even in a well-heated room, can be cold enough to harm the plant. Extreme heat is not to their liking either.
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If you’re bound and determined to take on the great outdoors, there are a few things you need to know.
Compatible Climates
- Tropical Regions: Areas with consistently warm temperatures and high humidity levels are the most suitable.
- Hawaii: In Hawaii, where temperatures rarely drop below 51°F and humidity is moderate, outdoor growing might be possible with special considerations.
Unsuitable Climates
- Regions with Frost: Areas that experience freezing temperatures are out of the question.
- Deserts: Dry climates lack the necessary humidity for African violets to thrive.
Light Requirements
Your African violet also needs protection from the sun’s rays. Its sensitive foliage will burn permanently in direct sunlight or if exposed to the sun while wet.
want to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, and this can become a daunting task outdoors. Often when placed outdoors, it’s incredibly hard to moderate how much light your African Violet receives. Bright sunlight is not the same thing is direct sunlight.
The Good Earth recommends that you place your violet to the side of a South or West facing window, or directly in front of an East facing window. North facing windows will not provide enough indirect light for these plants to keep blooming. Direct sun will cause the leaves to spot and will fry the blooms. Not enough light will prevent your plant from flowering.
Typically, we want our African Violets to get a full day (11-14 hours) of indirect sunlight. That said, there’s plenty of disagreement in the fine print. If your leaves are showing a brown color, they likely are getting too much sunlight.
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At night, let your African Violet relax in the dark. important that they get an ample amount of time without bright lights.
Ideal Locations:
- Continuously shaded locations
- Areas protected from direct sunlight
- Bright, indirect light
Humidity and Watering
Since they do thrive in a rain forest environment, African Violets prefer to always have a moist soil but never soggy soil. Do not allow your plant to completely dry out but also do not drench the plant.
To achieve that, you may want to place your African violets on a humidity tray, also called a pebble tray, especially during the winter months. As the name suggests, it raises the humidity to more interesting levels.
Another way to control soil moisture levels is to bottom water; this can be done by planting them in an African violet pot or potting in a regular pot but filling saucer with water as opposed to watering the top of the soil. Allow the potted violet to sit no more than 30 minutes in water-filled saucer before removing the plant and dumping any excess water.
Our last watering tip; use room temperature water. Cold water can chill African violet roots, which can result in leaves curling down and cold water droplets on leaves can cause spots.
To assist in creating the desired humidity level, place saucers of pea gravel near your plants and keep water in them. As the water evaporates, the immediate air around them will be more humid. Place African violets away from drafts and heating air vents. If humidity continues to be an issue, consider a humidifier.
Pest Control
Even if you can provide the right conditions, pests are a serious risk-there’s simply more of them outdoors! insects are a major obstacle when planting outdoors. life (and your African Violets life) miserable.
African Violet Pests
Common Pests and Solutions
- Mealybugs: White fluffy spots on the undersides of leaves. Remove affected leaves and spray with an organic spray based on fatty acids.
- Grey Mould (Botrytis): Grey fluff on the leaves, occurring in cool, damp conditions. Remove affected areas and treat with a fungicide.
- Powdery Mildew: White powder on the leaves, caused by humid conditions and poor airflow. Treat with an organic fungicide or remove affected leaves. Increase the space around your plants.
Soil and Fertilization
African violets are a little picky about what substrate they grow in. They prefer a well-draining, lightweight mix that contains peat moss or coconut coir. We recommend Ferti-Lome’s African Violet Potting Mix supplemented with Bonide’s Liquid African Violet Plant Food.
Here's a table summarizing these needs:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Daytime: 70-90ºF, Nighttime: 65-70ºF |
| Light | Bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight |
| Humidity | High humidity levels; use pebble trays or humidifiers |
| Watering | Keep soil moist but not soggy; use room temperature water |
| Soil | Well-draining, lightweight mix with peat moss or coconut coir |
Additional Care Tips
- Acclimation: If you decide to move your African Violet indoors, Yes you can! Repot your plant in the same mix it has been in for years. living environment your African Violet thrived in. It will make a world of difference.
- Pruning: You should prune African violets regularly by removing old or dying leaves at the base of the plant to encourage new growth and maintain an even appearance.
- Fertilizing: Much like with Orchids, we recommend that you fertilize your African Violet regularly. important nutrients that are essential for strong root growth, healthy leaves, and beautiful blooms.
- Repotting: You absolutely should repot your African Violet to ensure it lives a long, happy life. When you repot an African violet, cover any bare stem with soil. New roots will form there and the plant will regain its symmetry. When you do so, cut a slice off the bottom of the root ball equal to the height of the plant’s bare neck. So, if your plant has, say, a ½ inch (1 cm) bare section at its base, you’ll need cut off a ½ inch (1 cm) section of root ball. Now place the shortened root ball in the bottom of a clean pot (you don’t necessarily need to increase the size of the pot) and add fresh potting mix to the top, covering the neck. New roots will soon grow from the covered stem and will replace those you cut off. Presto!
