In 1892, Baron Walter von Saint Paul discovered the African violet, Saintpaulia ionantha, in Tanzania. The genus, Saintpaulia, was derived from this explorer’s name, while the specific epithet, ionantha, refers to the violet color of the flowers. African violets belong to the family Gesneriaceae that also includes popular flowering plants such as Streptocarpus and Gloxinia.
African violets are popular houseplants for their compact size and delicate, colorful blooms. These beautiful flowering plants are no longer just violet colored; thanks to their popularity, many hybrids and varieties are now available. The different flower colors and flower and leaf shapes come from mutations of the original plant. When a new form is discovered, growers propagate the unusual plant to form a new variety. It is not uncommon to see pink, white, mauve and bicolor blooms. In addition, African violets may have single or double blossoms that sit delicately atop their soft velvety leaves. The African Violet isn’t your typical house plant, it’s a vintage beauty that has a wide variety of flower colors. Beyond its vibrant blossoms, the African Violet also has soft fuzzy leaves that give it a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. This plant makes a great gift.
The African violet symbolizes devotion, faithfulness, and commitment. This might be because it flowers all year round or because it has been a household favorite for generations. They can be a little quirky. However, once you understand how to care for them, they will reward you with vibrant blooms throughout the year.
This might be because it flowers all year round or because it has been a household favorite for generations.
Given the right watering and lighting, it will bloom for years to come. Bottom water when the soil is just beginning to dry and place in indirect bright light.
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Lighting
African violets need 11-14 hours of bright, indirect sunlight to flower. Many experts say that artificial light works as well as and more reliably than sunlight. The best artificial lighting is achieved with a pair of 40-watt florescent lights. Ideally one should be a cool-white and the other a warm-white daylight tube. These should be placed approximately 8-12 inches above the plants.
Your African violet loves bright indirect sunlight. Try and place it somewhere that gets loads of daylight, but not somewhere the sun is directly beating down on it. Near an eastern window or a few feet back from a southern window are ideal spots for this plant. Yellowing leaves and a lack of blooms can mean not enough light, while sunburnt, bleached leaves point to too much light.
If your plant has dark healthy leaves but no blooms, try increasing the light. African violets prefer to be within 12 inches of a bright window. If windows aren’t available, fluorescent light or LED lights may be used to supplement. Depending on the lighting product, violets should be positioned 10-30 inches away from the light unit, and the light should be turned on for 6-12 hours a day. Violets receiving adequate light grow with a flat horizontal wheel of leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
African violets are well adapted to indoor environments. They prefer temperatures between 65-75°F. Do not let temperatures get below 60°F or above 80°F. They prefer a temperature between 65°F and 80°F with about 80% humidity. It is important to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations, including sudden drafts. Higher humidity will help these plants stay moist and happy.
To provide an adequately humid environment, you may want to use a humidifier or place pots in a tray filled with gravel and water. African violets can tolerate humidity as low as 10%, but that is so dry that tiny buds rarely survive to open as flowers. To encourage flower development, it is best to aim for 30-60%.
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Watering
Maintain even moisture, and do not let your African violets dry out completely. African violets prefer to be watered with room-temperature water from the bottom since water droplets can cause damage to the leaves. African violets are susceptible to crown rot, so it is important that the crown (the section of the plant at soil level) is not saturated with water. Use water that is room temperature.
Water when the soil volume is 25% dry. This plant likes to be kept moist but does not like to sit in soggy soil. Avoid getting the leaves wet, and the bottom-watering method is recommended. Place your plant in a sink filled with 2-4″ of water. Leave the plant to soak for up to 45 minutes. Test the top of the soil for moisture. If it still feels dry water a little from the top.
Here are a few watering methods:
- Saucer Method: Place the pot in a saucer filled with water for 15 to 30 minutes. Water will be absorbed into the soil through the pot’s drain hole.
- Wicking System: When potting an African violet, bury a synthetic cord (natural material will rot) in the soil and fish it out through the drain hole. The soil absorbs water from the saucer through this wick. Place a layer of gravel in the saucer to keep the soil from being in direct contact with the water in the saucer. The constant water source in the saucer allows the plant to absorb water as needed.
- Specialty, Self-Watering Pots: These pots consist of a glazed ceramic outer pot and a non-glazed inner pot.
Fertilizing
Regularly feed your African violets to keep them blooming during spring and summer. Use ferti-lome® African Violet & Blooming Plant Food every time you water or at least once or twice per month during the blooming season. African violets bloom best when the roots are well-developed. The best roots form in very porous potting mix which is kept evenly moist at all times-never saturated and never bone dry. It must be fertilized regularly with a balanced mix for African violets. There are many good brands.
Almost all fertilizers offer the basic three “macro-nutrients” of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are needed in ample supply for healthy plant growth. A few also include the “macros” of calcium and magnesium. Since these two latter “macros” are found in many city water supplies, most growers will get enough calcium and magnesium from their water. If you use rain, distilled or reverse osmosis water, be aware that you need a fertilizer that contains both, or you will need a supplement (commonly called Cal/Mag) to supply them.
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Many fertilizer brands also have and list “micro-nutrients” which are needed for healthy growth, but in very small amounts. Not all brands list the “micros,” but they can be very important. Sulfur, for example, tends to lower pH in the root zone. Choosing a fertilizer according to the source of the nutrients is also wise. Fertilizers listing their source as urea nitrogen are often the cheapest and also the least desirable. If your growing area is frequently colder than 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a fertilizer made from urea is more likely to result in ammonium toxicity.
Repotting
It is recommended to re-pot African violets once a year to help deliver new nutrients to the plants and remove salt buildup. African violets prefer to be slightly rootbound. The diameter of the container should measure no more than one-third the width of the plant’s leaf span. Clay pots may accumulate fertilizer salts. When the African violet’s leaves and stems come into contact with these salts, they can burn and eventually rot.
Propagation
African violets can be propagated from leaf cuttings or offsets.
- Leaf Cuttings: Cut leaves from the original plant, leaving 1 inch of leaf stalk (petiole) attached to the leaf. Bury the stalk and up to ¼ inch of the leaf in a wet sand/vermiculite mixture. Cover lightly with plastic and keep the media moist. To propagate from leaves, cut a leaf that is 2-3” long near the base of the plant. Dip the end in rooting hormone and plant in African violet soil or a similar media. Water the cutting thoroughly.
- Offsets: Offsets (new plant shoots that grow up from the mother plant) can be cut off and potted independently. This will also help the mother plant produce more blooms.
Encouraging Blooming
African Violets not Flowering?! Here's how to get BLOOMS!!!
Blooming can be triggered by ensuring your African violet several hours of darkness at night. Pinch off spent blooms to encourage further blooming. Some African violets become vegetative, meaning they are so comfortable that they only grow leaves. To convert them to being reproductive, you must give them a little scare. Repotting is one method. It also works to tap the pot firmly on a hard surface or squeeze the pot to create a minor earthquake. Some varieties are shy bloomers.
Common Issues and Solutions
Here are some common issues and how to address them:
- Buds Wilting and Dying: Low humidity or letting the potting mix get too dry can cause buds to fail. Powdery mildew or cyclamen mites can also be factors.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease looks like white powder and thrives in humid conditions, especially where daytime and nighttime temperatures vary significantly. Ensure good air circulation.
- Stunted Growth: Stunt is a symptom of a disease, pest, or cultural condition that has stopped the growth of the crown. Common causes include Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) and cyclamen mites.
- Soft, Limp Leaves: This can indicate the violet isn't getting enough water. Allow the violet to dry out while sitting on an absorbent towel or paper.
Watch for pest problems.
NOIDs and Chimeras
It is almost impossible to accurately identify an African violet that doesn’t have a name tag or other type of identification (a NOID, or a plant with no ID). The African Violet Master List of Species and Cultivars (AVML) and the First Class computer program lists more than 16,000 different named African violets and their descriptions. Once lost, it is extremely difficult to restore the proper name. Many violets sold in large retail stores will be NOIDs primarily because unlabeled hybrids are easier to produce and may be sold at a more competitive price. NOIDs may not be entered into AVSA shows, but otherwise they are enjoyable violets to grow.
Chimera hybrids contain two separate sets of DNA, which makes them an unusual type of African violet which may only be reproduced by suckers or by blossom-stem propagation. Chimera African violets are prone to sport which means that they mutate easily back to a hybrid with only one of the sets of DNA. Stress factors such as uneven cultural conditions, age, or even electrical currents seem to result in sporting. Occasionally, just a single leaf on the chimera plant will sport and throw a solid blossom, while other leaves will continue to bloom true. When that happens, it is wise to take a blossom stem to propagate so that you can keep the original chimera traits.
## Additional Care Tips* **Grooming:** Pruning in African violets is not done in the same way, generally, as it is for other plants. It is more common that violet growers groom plants by removing any individual flowers as they fade and entire blossom stems when the last flower is fading. Grooming also includes removing leaves which are damaged and any that are fading on the lower rows.* **Cleaning:** If it is only a tiny bit of debris, it may be removed by blowing. For more general cleaning, many growers brush debris away with soft brushes such as those used for makeup or painting. Violets may also be washed at the faucet using a gentle flow of mildly warm (tepid) water. If residue is stubborn, some growers spray mist the leaves with a solution of 1-2 drops of water in a quart bottle of warm water. After all leaves have been rinsed, you should blot excess water off the leaves (especially any in the center) with a soft sponge, paper towel or cloth. Persistent cat hair or drywall dust may be more difficult to remove. Several growers in social media have reported using lint-remover rollers with replaceable sticky paper. They gently roll across the leaf from stem toward the tip.By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the beauty and charm of African violets in your home for years to come.
