Information About African Violets

African violets (Saintpaulia species) are excellent indoor flowering plants. Available in many flower colors, they produce flowers year-round under the proper growing conditions. ... Bicolored flowers and those with contrasting borders are also popular. Miniatures and trailing cultivars are also available.

How often should African violets be watered?
How long do African violets live for?
How do you care for African violets?
Do African violets need direct sunlight?
Do you deadhead African violets?
Is coffee grounds good for African violets?
What kills African violets?
Where do you put African violets?
Where do African violets grow?
What do African violets need?
Can African violets grow under LED lights?
How do you root African violets?

How often should African violets be watered?

“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.

How long do African violets live for?

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which includes repotting African violets. The trick is knowing when to repot an African violet and what soil and container size to use. This article will help with that.

How do you care for African violets?

How to Care for African Violets

Keep the soil lightly moist and use room-temperature water.
Leaves are susceptible to rot if kept in high humidity, so water African violets from the bottom to avoid getting excess water on the leaves.
Dust dirt off the leaves with a small, soft brush.

Do African violets need direct sunlight?

African violets need bright light to bloom, but cannot tolerate hot, direct sun because their leaves are easily scorched by intense light. Violets bloom best at temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees.

Do you deadhead African violets?

Deadhead African violets to encourage more blooms. African violets make useful flowering houseplants since they can bloom for up to nine months per year. They do need the other three months off as a rest period. As with any plant, proper care is essential to maximize both the plant's health and blooms.

Is coffee grounds good for African violets?

Is Coffee Grounds Good for African Violets? Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.

What kills African violets?

Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or Dicamba, and it will selectively kill the violets without damaging the grass. Another great wild violet herbicide is called Drive (quinclorac).

Where do you put African violets?

African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.

Where do African violets grow?

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to rainforests in the mountains of eastern African countries like Tanzania. They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation. In their native environments, direct light never touches their leaves.

What do African violets need?

African violets need bright, indirect light such as from a south- or east-facing window, although direct sunlight can burn the leaves. They will do best at 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C), and although they can survive temperatures up to about 90°F (32°C), they will die if exposed to below 50°F (10°C).

Can African violets grow under LED lights?

A full spectrum LED light strip can also work for African Violet plants, especially those with a higher ratio of red/blue wavelengths mixed in with green and yellow wavelengths. These strips can provide a balanced mixture of lights.

How do you root African violets?

African Violets: Propagation by Leaf

Step 1: Remove and trim leaf. Remove a fresh leaf from the plant that you wish to propagate. ...
Step 2: Cut leaf petiole. ...
Step 3: Root the leaf cutting. ...
Step 4: Plantlets at 12 weeks. ...
Step 5: Separate plantlets from leaf cutting. ...
Step 6: Prepare pot for plantlet. ...
Step 7: Pot plantlet. ...
Step 8: You're done!