Written by Cindy Schnabel under the direction and review of Kristine Lang and Sydney Trio.
Description
African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is a dainty, adorable flowering houseplant. It is native to East Africa, coming from the rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya.
It is a compact, low-growing, flowering plant with velvety leaves. African violet is available in many different flower colors, petal shapes, and sizes. If given the correct conditions, it will bloom all year long. The flower clusters of the African violet will last from three to six weeks.
Newer varieties of the African violet have double or semi-double rows of petals. There are even bi-colored flowers, trailing cultivars, and miniature varieties.
Plant Care
- Soil and Repotting: African violets require a well-drained soil. You can find commercial soil mixes that are specific to the African violet to purchase. If you prefer to create your own mix, just use equal parts of potting soil, peat, and perlite. Repot only, when necessary, into a pot one size up. African violets do better when they are slightly under-potted or overcrowded. When repotting, carefully grab the whole plant, lift it, and place it in the larger container. Gently add a new potting mixture around the plant to fill out the pot. Make sure not to damage the root system in the process.
- Water: Thoroughly water African violets, but be careful! Try not to get water on the leaves, because this will cause spotting damage. If watering from the top, pour water until you notice water coming out from the drain holes at the bottom of the pot. If you want to water from the bottom, which is common for African violets, place the pot in a container that has about an inch of water in it. When the surface becomes moist, remove the pot, and empty the rest of the water that remains. Never let the African violet sit in water, as this will promote root diseases.
- Light: Without the correct amount of light, the African violet will not bloom. It thrives in moderate to bright, indirect light, and does best with at least eight hours of darkness.
- Too Little Light: The leaves begin to turn yellow. It may develop elongated leaves and stems.
- Too Much Light: Causes sunburn. It will produce brown spots on the leaves and flowers. The leaves may curl downward. And if you have a variegated variety, it can cause the leaves to turn entirely green.
- Temperature: The ideal temperature is 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn’t grow well in temperatures below 60 degrees, and temperatures below 50 degrees are fatal. It will adapt to higher temperatures (75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit). The higher the temperature, the more frequently you will have to water.
- Humidity: This is vital to the overall health of an African violet. In its native habitat the humidity is about 70 to 80%. This would be hard to achieve indoors, so a humidity level around 40 to 50% is something the plant will adapt to. Placing a humidifier close to the plant is one way to accomplish this.
- Fertilizer: A well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer is a must. Lower, older leaves will start yellowing, and the growth rate of the plant will slow. These are all signs that the plant needs to be fertilized. Before applying the fertilizer, thoroughly water the plant from above to make sure you have moist soil. Fertilize every other week during its growing period, which is the spring and summer months. When applying the solution, make sure you follow the labels instruction.
Problems and Solutions
- Diseases: The African violet is very susceptible to root and crown rot. This happens if the plant is being overwatered.
- Pests: Pests that are common on them are mites and mealybugs.
- Other Issues: Leaf stems that encounter the accumulated salts on the container may be killed off.
The African violet is a small plant that will provide color and beauty in an indoor setting. It is easy to grow and requires very little maintenance. It is surely one that you will want to try.
Reference and Resource
African Violet, Clemson Cooperative Extension.
