African violets are one of the most popular houseplants in the world, due largely in part to their eye-catching foliage. However, their vibrant, dark-green leaves can sometimes begin to droop and dull, signaling a problem. Seasoned growers will tell you that proper watering is one of the most important skills you will learn in growing African violets. In fact, overwatering may be the number one cause of violet demise.
This article unpacks the common causes, symptoms, and cures for an African violet with droopy leaves, focusing particularly on the issue of overwatering.
Why Are the Leaves of My African Violet Turning Soft, Limp, or Mushy?
There are a number of reasons why your African Violet leaves are turning soft, limp or mushy.If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy.
If your soil is not overwatered and your plant is still experiencing soft, limp or mushy leaves, it may be that the leaf has become old, which is a natural process in African Violets. Also remove leaves that have turned brown and/or are damaged. Regular grooming of the African Violet is necessary to maintain a healthy plant.
The Dangers of Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most common causes of droopy African violet leaves. That’s because their delicate root systems can’t handle waterlogged soil. Droopy, soft, and mushy leaves are telltale symptoms your plant is suffering from too much water.
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If your plant has been over-watered, the roots may develop root-rot (To learn more about root rot). The roots absorb so much water, that they can no longer hold onto so much water and eventually rot. This will cause the leaves to turn soft, limp or mushy. Following root rot, the crown will start to rot and the African Violet plant will eventually die. At this point, put down leaves to save the plant variety and to produce baby plantlets.
How to Identify Root Rot
Check to see if there are a large number of roots which are mushy, or brown in color. If only a few and the majority of roots look healthy, then that’s good, that means root rot is not the cause of your leaf browning. If however you do see a large number of roots which are mushy or brown in color, then root rot may be the cause of the soft limp or mushy leaves on your violet. Try to gently trim away any roots that are rotting or mushy, brown in color.
If your African Violet plant does not recover, then root rot may have already taken over the majority of the plant roots. The root rot will soon spread to the crown and other leaves will start turning brown/mushy.
What to Do If You Suspect Overwatering
If the plant is limp but the soil is very wet, act quickly. Place the plant on a wad of paper towels or folded newspapers to help draw out the extra water.
Repotting
First, trim off any dead, droopy, or mushy foliage. Next, remove your African violet from its pot and gently brush the soil from the roots. Repot using specialty African violet potting mix.
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African Violet soil mix should be porous and provide adequate drainage.
Best Ways to Water African Violets
Proper Watering Techniques
First of all, only water your African Violet plants when they need to be watered. To check for dry soil, stick your finger gently in the soil (1/2 inch deep). If a lot of soil sticks to your finger and feels damp, then no watering is required.
Casual growers (or growers with smaller collections) commonly use top or bottom watering. Water the plants either from the top or the bottom when the top half inch of the soil is somewhat dry. A dish or saucer is used under the pot to catch drainage. To water from the top, pour the water through the soil, taking care to keep water off the leaves. To water from the bottom, add the water directly to the saucer. When watering from the bottom, it may take a couple hours for the plant to absorb the water up to the top of the pot. Thorough top watering helps force out excess salts in the soil (via the drain water).
Wick Watering
Wick watering is a convenient way to water violets, especially if you have a large collection. The potting mix must be very porous so that there is plenty of air around the roots even when the mix is wet. Use a potting mix that is at least fifty percent coarse perlite. Growers with high humidity may need more perlite to get adequate porosity. The potting mix should be moistened before you begin potting your violet, or the wicking process may not function properly.
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The wick should be 6 to 8 inches long (for a 4” pot) and must be a synthetic material such as acrylic, rayon, strips of old pantyhose, nylon yarn or cording. Insert a wet wick when repotting by stringing it through the drainage hole in the pot and up to the top rim, then adding potting mix and the violet. Alternatively, you may put the wick in after potting by using a hook such as stiff wire, a crochet hook or a long darning needle. Push the straight end of the tool into a hole on the bottom of the pot, catch the wicking material in the hook, and pull on the tool at the top of the pot to bring it on through.
The wick should dangle out of the bottom of the pot and into a reservoir of water below. The reservoir may be as simple as a plastic food container, or recycled glass jars. Some people wick water with a community reservoir for many plants, such as a large water-filled tray with “egg crating” laid on top. Egg crating, which is used to diffuse fluorescent light fixtures, may be found in hardware stores or online.
A community reservoir is convenient - you must fill only one reservoir instead of many. But there is a significant downside. Algae often grows in the reservoir. To resolve, line the reservoir with a sheet of plastic which extends over the sides of the reservoir. You can throw out the plastic when it turns green instead of washing out the whole reservoir.
Troubleshooting Wick Watering:
- The plant may not soak up the water. To resolve, pour water through the top of the pot to try to get the capillary action going.
- The plant may become too wet.
Mat Watering
Mat watering is similar to wick watering. Plants are placed on a damp absorbent mat. You can place pots directly on the mat, but some people use wicks in those pots to be sure there is contact with the mat. Both the wick and the mat material must be synthetic. Old (or cheap) blankets or synthetic felt or fleece may be cut to size for the mat.
Add water to the tray on a regular schedule, just enough to keep the mat moist. Use a porous soil mix like that used for wick watering.
Some growers lay their matting over plastic egg-crating, which is elevated above the water. The egg-crating is cut to sit on the rims of the tray. The matting is cut and laid on the crating with one or more “tails” dangling on the side into the tray of water below. These tails will wick water and keep the matting moist for a longer time.
Other Potential Causes of Droopy Leaves
While overwatering is a primary concern, remember that underwatering and excessive sunlight can also cause droopy leaves.
- Underwatering: A prolonged lack of moisture can deprive your plant of the hydration it needs to maintain firm, healthy foliage. If you catch it soon enough, underwatering is an easy fix: give your plant a good stiff drink! But don’t overcompensate by repeatedly drenching your plant.
- Too Much Sunlight: These tropical flowers evolved under the jungle canopy and thrive in diffused sunlight. African violets prefer indirect light in well-lit spaces. This means no sunny windowsills or bright countertops.
Additional Tips
- Water Quality: In most locations, tap water will be fine, but the quality of tap water can vary. In general, it is a good idea to fill a jug with water and let it sit overnight to let any chlorine dissipate. You may also use bottled water, filtered water, or reverse osmosis water.
- Water pH: It is a good idea to test your water pH periodically. If your pH is outside the ideal range for African violets (6.5-7.5), you may adjust it using pH up or down products which are sold in aquarium or hydroponics stores.
- Fertilizing: Many growers will add their liquid or granular fertilizer to a jug of water and then use that solution to water their plants.
- Temperature: Excessive cold air can cause African violet leaves to droop and shrink up. Avoid cold winter windows or places where the temperature frequently swings (like drafty entryways).
- Fertilizer Buildup: If you see white crystals built up in the soil, paired with droopy leaves, your African violet may be struggling from fertilizer buildup. Flush the soil thoroughly (while being mindful to keep the leaves dry) to remove excess salts.
Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Overwatering | Droopy, soft, mushy leaves; root rot | Repot with fresh soil, trim rotten roots, adjust watering schedule |
| Underwatering | Droopy leaves, dry soil | Water thoroughly, but avoid overwatering |
| Too Much Sunlight | Droopy leaves, leaf scorch | Move to a location with indirect light |
| Fertilizer Buildup | White crystals in soil, droopy leaves | Flush the soil thoroughly |
