With their diminutive size, colorful blooms, and attractive foliage, African violets are popular houseplants. Originating in high-altitude rainforests of eastern Africa, they now come in a variety of leaf and flower colors. Unfortunately, some species of African violets are now endangered because of habitat destruction for agriculture.

African violets have wide, fleshy leaves with tiny hairs that give a fuzzy appearance, and bright flowers that can be purple, pink, blue, white, and shades in between. They had previously been classified as Saintpaulia, but a 2015 study showed that African violets are actually part of the Streptocarpus genus and have since been reclassified.

Caring for an African violet requires a good balance of light, water and food, which will reward you with blooms all year long. They can be a little picky, but patience and attentive care will pay off.

Quick African Violet Facts

Planting African Violets

African violets are great indoor houseplants as they are suited for warmer temperatures and cannot tolerate direct sunlight. Planting African violets outdoors in the United States is not generally done, as there is too much temperature and humidity fluctuation and improper light conditions.

African violets are originally from the high-altitude rainforests, or cloud forests, of eastern Africa and most American backyards can’t replicate those ideal conditions. However, they make a wonderfully cheery houseplant and they can bloom year-round when properly cared for.

Choose a pot with drainage holes, use the proper soil mixture to ensure roots don't get soggy, fertilize plants regularly, and provide them with bright, indirect light for success.

Best Soil for African Violets

The best African violet soil allows for plenty of air to reach the roots. A loose, well-draining soil, slightly acidic composed of equal parts coco coir, potting soil, and perlite or vermiculite will keep your African violet happy. You can make your own soil or Miracle-Gro has a premade African violet soil available from Amazon. They also prefer to be slightly under-potted so be sure not to plant in a large pot.

African Violet Light Needs

African violets need at least 10-12 hours per day of bright, indirect light to thrive and bloom. Placing them near a north- or east-facing window is ideal, but be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight. Remember, they are from the rainforest so they are adapted to filtered sunlight that comes through the rainforest canopy.

Light is a balancing act. Too little light, and your African violet will become leggy and will not bloom. Too much light, and African violet leaves will curl and become pale with crispy brown edges. If your plant doesn’t get bright light in the winter, you can use a pair of 40-watt fluorescent lights placed 8-12 inches (20 - 30 cm) above the plant to supplement.

How to Repot African Violets

Repotting African violets is best done once a year. Repotting gives them new soil with fresh nutrients and also removes the salt buildup from watering and fertilizing over the course of the year.

Your new container should be no more than one-third the width of the leaf-spread. So if the diameter of the leaves is 9 inches (22.8 cm) then the new pot should be 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter. African violets prefer to be slightly under potted and will not thrive if placed in a too large pot. The leaves should be resting on the rim of the new pot.

Once you have carefully repotted the plant, you can help it acclimate by placing it in a large plastic baggie or under a cloche to increase the humidity. This will help it recover and reduce the risk of transplant shock. You can find a glass terrarium cloche from Amazon.

How to Care for African Violets

African violets can be a bit finicky in their preferences, but a little attentive care will go a long way to ensure they are happy and healthy. If properly cared for, they can bloom year-round and even live up to 50 years! Cover these African violet care basics, and your plant will reward you for years to come.

Watering African Violets

African violets’ watering needs are a little pickier than many other houseplants. They need well-drained, consistently moist soil to grow well. Contact with water, especially in winter, will damage the leaves. To get around this issue, you can bottom water your plant.

Another option is to top-water with a thin-spouted watering can like this cute watering can from Ikea to prevent the leaves from getting wet. Whatever your preference, it is important to use room temperature water and filtered water is the best. Excessive watering can lead to crown rot.

Best Fertilizer for African Violets

Fertilizing African violets will keep them happy and productive. Fertilizing is best done while watering. Apply a well-balanced, water soluble fertilizer every other week during the spring and summer and less during the winter. It is better to under fertilize than overfertilize as it can burn the roots.

Fertilizer mixtures that are equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium works well and are readily available at garden centers. You can also find a specially formulated African violet fertilizer from Miracle-Gro at the Home Depot.

Temperature & Humidity

The ideal temperature range for African violets is 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 26 Celsius). They prefer humid conditions, which you can achieve by setting pots on a pebble tray with water or by growing in a terrarium.

Problems, Pests & Diseases

Lack of flowers is a common issue with African violets. It often indicates the plant needs more light. They will also stop blooming if the temperature is too or too cold or if they get too much or too little fertilizer. Balance is essential.

Rot and mildew are common African violet diseases but are easy to avoid. Don’t let the roots get soggy and make sure the leaves stay dry and have good air flow. Pests that can trouble African violets include mealybugs, mites, aphids, and thrips.

How to Make an African Violet Flower

If all the conditions are right, your African violet should bloom over and over again. If it stops blooming, consider light first. It needs at least 12 hours of light per day and 8 hours of darkness.

It could be too cold or too hot, both of which can stop blooms from developing. Be sure you’re not overwatering and use an African violet fertilizer regularly. Finally, the issue could be the pot size. African violets prefer to be slightly root-bound. If the pot is too big, it might not bloom.

How and When to Prune African Violets

All you need to do to prune your African violet is remove the outer ring of older leaves as they fade or turn brown. You can also snip off flowers as they fade.

African Violet Propagation

African violets are easy to propagate by leaf cuttings. Trim off a healthy, mature leaf with one inch (2.5 cm) of stem. Place the cut stem into a good rooting mix, like a soilless potting mix. Place it deep enough that part of the leaf is touching the mix. This is where new leaves will form. Once you have four to six leaflets, you can remove them from the mother flower and pot them.

African Violet Varieties

You can find hundreds of African violet varieties in garden centers and online. They come in several flower colors, including white, pink, deep purple, maroon, and blue. The flowers can be single, double, ruffled, and star or wasp shaped.

Leaves of different varieties are usually fuzzy or velvety but may be round, oval, or heart-shaped. The colors range from dark green to bright green, silvery green, or variegated.

Frequently Asked Questions

African Violet Care Must-Haves

Celebrated for their ease of growth and prolonged blooming, African violets are an ideal addition to almost any indoor space. These plants are especially popular throughout the winter months, offering a much-needed burst of color in the form of vibrant pink, purple, or white blooms. Despite their ability to thrive with relatively little care, violet plants will sometimes begin to show signs of stress. Wilting, drooping, and flowers dying back are the most common issues. If you notice that your African violet flowers dying, turning brown, drooping, or wilting, read on for some helpful suggestions.

Why Are My African Violet Flowers Dying?

A sudden decline in plant health can be frustrating. Though it is true that older blooms will naturally fade and fall from the African violet, damaged buds or flowers that drop from the plant prematurely may be a cause for concern.

Cultural and environmental factors are among the most common causes of wilting in violets. The amount of light, temperature, and soil moisture all play a vital role in the plant’s ability to support and sustain healthy flowers.

Proper watering is especially important, as both over and underwatering may be harmful. Overwatering, specifically, can contribute to the development of bacterial and fungal diseases, leading to the loss of plants. Both crown and root rot are sometimes noted in plants that suddenly begin to droop, as well as powdery mildew and severe infestations of insects like aphids or mites.

How Long Do African Violet Blooms Last?

African violets are appreciated by plant parents for their ability to bloom throughout the entire year, often flowering over a period of 8-10 months. The individual blooms are also quite long-lived, lasting several weeks each.

African violet flowers drooping on otherwise healthy specimens may be a part of the plant’s natural cycle of growth. As older flowers begin to fade, it’s not uncommon for the petals to take on a wilted or browned appearance. Though most of these blooms will readily drop from the plant, it’s good to take a more active role, deadheading the blooms as they die.

What to Do When African Violet Flowers Die

African violet flowers should be deadheaded regularly. Though the flowers will seldom self-pollinate, removing each bloom will help to ensure that the plants do not set seed. This will help to focus the plant’s energy on the production of new foliage and the development of flower buds. Routine deadheading also helps improve the plant’s overall appeal, helping it to maintain a tidy appearance in pots and containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Remove Dead Flowers from African Violets?

Though faded flowers will drop from plants frequently, removing dead flowers from African violets can help to keep them looking their best. Dead flowers can be removed by snipping each stem carefully or gently pulling the flower head from the plant with gloved hands. This will help promote blooms and may even aid in rejuvenating older potted specimens.

How Do I Keep My African Violet Blooming?

First-time African violet growers might find themselves frustrated by a lack of blooms on the plant. In most instances, this occurs when conditions for growth are less than ideal. To better ensure prolonged periods of flowering, make certain that light, humidity, and moistures levels are adequately maintained throughout the year. This will include routine feeding with a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

Tropical plants are among the most common plant specimens grown indoors. These beautiful species offer growers interesting and dynamic foliage that can enliven even the dreariest of indoor spaces. Several plant types may even bloom inside during the winter, providing for further ornamental value. Streptocarpella plant, for example, has the unique ability to bloom for an exceptionally long period of time. Learning more about streptocarpella care can help growers extend the beauty of their plants into the summer and beyond.

Growing Streptocarpella

Also known as false African violet, streptocarpella plant is a member of the Gerneriaceae family. First time growers most commonly acquire plants as a gift, or as a winter purchase from garden centers. It is easy for gardeners to be drawn to their gorgeous blue flowers and long cascading growth habit. One of the most commonly available cultivars, Streptocarpella ‘Concord Blue,’ is especially prized for its use as an annual in outdoor containers. 

Delicate flowers, held high above the plant on fragile stems, offer much needed texture to indoor pots and outdoor plantings. Once established, streptocarpella plants grow to create a magnificent cascade of foliage and flowers. Many growers find that false African violets will flower freely on porches and in yards throughout the entirety of summer.

False African Violet Care

Though many plants within this family can be difficult to grow, streptocarpella care is relatively simple. Proper streptocarpella care begins with the selection of a high quality potting mix that drains well. Plants will also need ample room for root growth, though they are able to thrive in smaller containers, such as window boxes. False African violet care will require careful attention to the plant’s light needs. The best outdoor locations for these plants are those which receive very bright, yet indirect, sunlight. 

Routine watering will be required in order to ensure that soils remain consistently moist, especially during prolonged periods of hot weather. As a tropical plant, false African violets are extremely sensitive to cold. All plants should remain indoors until temperatures consistently rise above 55 degrees F. (13 C.). This will help to avoid damage to leaves and prevent yellowing and potential dieback.

In addition to brightening up our homes and offices, houseplants allow gardeners to grow a wide range of species which aren't capable of surviving in the backyard. The ability to cultivate odd or unusual houseplants is intriguing as well as challenging. Growing Episcia plants not only adds eye catching appeal to household décor, but these colorful houseplants can test the hand of the most experienced green thumb.

What are Episcia Plants 

Episcia are a genus of brilliantly colored plants which are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Related to African violets, Episcia are herbaceous perennials which propagate by sending out stolons or runners. Caring for Episcia can be challenging, as these plants are quite particular about their environment.

Episcia Plant Info

• Common name: Flame Violet, Carpet Plant
• Light: Bright, indirect
• Water: Consistently moist
• Temperature: Above 65 degrees F. (10 C.)
• Humidity: High 
• Propagation: Stolons (Runners)

Tips for Growing Episcia Plants

A rainforest plant, Episcia thrives in a warm, humid environment. Many varieties grow best in a bubble bowl – the modern day equivalent to the terrarium. Episcia require a moist medium which drains well, yet still is able to retain moisture. Soil mixes formulated for African Violets reportedly work well. 

Maintaining a rainforest environment is only half the battle when growing Episcia plants. Providing correct lighting is another challenge. Episcia requires bright light but avoid placing these houseplants where direct sunlight might reach their leaves. Doing so causes the brightly colored Episcia foliage to fade. 

The beautifully patterned, variegated leaves would be reason enough to cultivate the plant, yet the delicate trumpet shaped flowers are the crowning touch. The secret to encouraging Episcia into bloom lies in removing and pruning back the runners. As long as Episcia can propagate asexually, these colorful houseplants rarely expend the effort to produce flowers and make seeds. 

Episcia Varieties

There are so many beautiful hybrid varieties available, the most challenging aspect to cultivating is deciding which one to choose:

• E. 'Alyce's Aussie'- Blushing variegated leaves of burgundy and green.
• E. 'Checkerboard'- Intriguingly marked dark green leaves with deep silver veins, blooms red.
• E. 'Black Star'- Dark green leaves with pink veining.
• E. 'Cleopetra'- Pink and white variegated leaves with green centers.
• E. 'Costa Rica'- Deeply veined lime green leaves with reddish orange flowers.
• E. 'Emerald Lace'- Patchy green, white, and pink foliage. Bright pink flowers.
• E. 'Flamingo'- Deep green leaves with flamingo pink flowers.
• E. 'Pink Panther'- Dark green leaves with lighter mid-veins. Bright pink flowers.
• E. 'Silver Skies'- Distinctive whitish silver leaves with green edges.
• E. 'Unpredictable Valley' - A lovely silver leaf with magenta edges and green centers.

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are native to the coastal woods of east Africa, but they have become popular indoor plants in the United States. The blooms are shades of deep purple and, in proper light, the plants can flower all year long. Most of the plants are sold when flowering. After that though, people can have trouble getting African violets to bloom.

What should you do if your African violate won’t flower? Read on for info on African violet flowering needs including tips on how to make African violets bloom.

No Flowers on African Violet

It happens all too often. You buy beautiful African violets and bring them home. As the blooms die, you wait eagerly for more buds, but none appear. You look each morning but see no flowers on African violet plants.

While there is no immediate fix for getting African violets to bloom, the care you give your plant goes a long way to encouraging or preventing flowering. Check and make sure you are meeting all African violet flowering needs.

How to Make African Violets Bloom

Like every other plant, African violets require sun to thrive. If your African violet won’t flower, too little light is the most likely cause. Bright light is a big part of African violet flowering needs. In an ideal world, the plants would get six to eight hours a day of light. If they get too little, they simply stop blooming.

Incorrect irrigation can be another reason your African violet won’t flower. These plants like their soil to stay evenly moist, so don’t let them dry out completely between waterings. When plants get too much or too little water, their roots are impacted. Plants with damaged roots stop blooming to save energy.

When your African violet won’t flower, it could also be caused by too little humidity. These plants like air with a humidity of 40 percent or greater.

It might also be temperature. Like humans, African violets prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F. (15-27 C.).

Finally, fertilizer is important. Buy and use a fertilizer formulated for African violets. Alternatively, use a balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

When all these care requirements are fulfilled, your African violets will be healthy and happy – and will reward you with plenty of blooms.

Watering African violets (Saintpaulia) isn’t as complicated as you may think. Actually, these charming, old-fashioned plants are surprisingly adaptable and easy to get along with.

Wondering how to water an African violet? Read on to learn more about African violet water needs.

How to Water an African Violet

When watering African violets, the main thing to remember is that overwatering is the number one reason a plant fails to thrive, or just up and dies. Overwatering, without a doubt, is the worst thing you can do for your African violet.

How do you know when to water an African violet? Always test the potting mix with your finger first. If the potting mix feels moist, try again in a few days. It’s healthiest for the plant if you allow the potting mix to dry slightly between watering, but it should never be bone dry.

One easy way to water an African violet is to place the pot in a container with no more than an inch (2.5 cm.) of water. Remove it from the water after about 20 minutes, or until the potting mix is moist. Never let the pot stand in water, which is a surefire way to invite rot.

You can also water at the top of the plant, but be careful not to wet the leaves. Actually, it’s a good thing to water thoroughly from the top once in a while to leach out salts that can build up in potting soil. Water well and let the pot drain.

Tips on Watering African Violets

African violets tend to be sensitive to cold water, which may create white rings (ring spot) on the leaves. To get around this, let tap water sit overnight before watering. This will also allow chlorine to evaporate. 

A light, porous potting mix is best for African violets. A commercial mix for African violets works well, but it will be even better if you add a handful of perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. You can also use a regular commercial potting mix mixed with half perlite or vermiculite.

Be sure the container has a good drainage hole in the bottom.

African violets are among the most popular flowering houseplants. With their fuzzy leaves and compact clusters of pretty flowers, along with their ease of care, it’s no wonder we love them. But, there can be issues with these houseplants. If your African violet leaves are curling, there are a few potential causes and easy solutions.

African Violet Leaf Curl Caused by Cold

If the leaves on your African violet are curling under, the most likely cause is temperature. These plants grow best when temperatures during the day are around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) and not much cooler at night. Watering African violets with cool water can also be problematic. Let water warm to room temperature.

Being too cold for too long will cause the leaves to turn brittle and curl under. Other symptoms of cold stress include center leaves that are tightly bunched together, stunted growth, and extra fur on the leaves.

The good news is that fixing this problem is simple. You just need to find a warmer spot for your plants. This is most likely to be an issue in the winter when window drafts cause lower regional temperatures. Use some type of plastic insulation on the window to stop drafts. If your whole house is too cold, consider getting a small heat or grow lamp to warm up one area.

Mites Can Trigger Leaf Curl in African Violets

Curling African violet leaves may also be caused by an infestation of mites, although cold is the more likely problem. The mites that invade African violets are too small to see. They feed on the new, center growth of plants, so look there for stunting and damage. Leaf curling is more of a secondary symptom. You may also see flower stunting or failure to bloom with mites.

With mites, it may be easiest to simply dispose of infected plants. Disinfect any tools used on infected plants as well as the pot if you plant to reuse it. If you do want to save a plant from mites, you can find a miticide for houseplants at your local nursery, or you can use an insecticidal soap. Take your plants outside to use any chemical not rated for houseplants.

Sunlight and African Violet Leaf Curl

African violet leaf curl may be caused by too much sun. If cold temperature is not an issue and if you don’t see signs of mites, look at the light your plants are getting. African violets prefer bright but indirect light. Too much direct, hot sunlight can cause leaves to brown and curl under. Move plants out of direct light to see if that stops the curling.

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which included repotting African violets. The trick is knowing when to repot an African violet and what soil and container size to use. We'll go over some of the tips on how to repot African violets for a successful transition for your plant.

When to Repot an African Violet

Most plants need repotting at some point to either increase the container size or to refresh the soil. There are several schools of thought on the right way to repot, but all agree you can buy or make your own African violet mix. Before removing your plant, select a container that is one third the size of the plant's leaf spread.

Most collectors recommend repotting at least once and up to twice per year. The timing is not terribly crucial since they are usually indoor plants, but to avoid transplant shock, it is wise to disturb the plant when it is not actively growing and producing flowers.

Tips on African Violet Repotting

Before repotting, water the plant well from under the leaves or put the container on a saucer of water for an hour. The moisture will help you remove the plant from its container. This is more important with clay or ceramic pots. You can skip this step with plastic containers that will bend a bit to help the root ball slide out.

The right soil is necessary for successfully repotting African violets. There are very good mixes to purchase that are specially blended for this species or make your own. For this, use 1 part each garden loam, sand and peat moss. Add a small amount of bone meal if you wish. Pre-moisten the soil lightly before planting.

Be careful when removing the plant from its old housing. You may need to loosen the soil a bit and then turn the plant over, cradling it in your hand gently and push into the drainage holes. The plant should come right out but, if necessary, cut around the container with a knife.

How to Repot African Violets

There are various instructions on the next step. Some say to cut a bit of the root mass off the bottom and spread the roots gently. This is useful if the neck of the plant is elongating.

Others say separate the plant into smaller plantlets, but this would only refer to older plants. Still others feel that the root ball should not be disturbed and, instead, nestled into a hole made in the new container and backfilled around.

The leaves of the plant should be lightly resting on the rim of the container. To reduce transplant shock, bag the container and plant. The increased humidity helps the plant recover. Remove the bag after one week and continue the plant’s usual care.

African violets are one of the most charming blooming houseplants available. They have a sweet, old-fashioned innocence that appeals to everyone. There are just a few straightforward rules for growing African violets. Water and light needs are two of these, but just as important is how to feed African violet plants. The type of food is crucial when feeding African violets because some sources say nutrients can actually harm the plant.

Do African Violets Need Fertilizer?

African violets require fairly low maintenance. They do need proper exposure, heat, and keeping water off those leaves, but they usually keep producing those sweet flowers much of the year. To keep your violet in good health, it needs to be fed. When, how and with what are questions we will be answering.

Almost all plants need proper macro- and micro-nutrients as well as soluble vitamins, and African violets are no exception. African violet fertilizer needs to be water soluble and in a ratio especially developed for the plant’s needs.

The best time for fertilizing African violets is in spring when the plant is actively growing. Avoid feeding African violets in winter. Some growers say not to fertilize the plants during bloom, while others tout the process. However, considering that blooming deprives the plant of energy, it would seem logical that the nutrients it uses need to be put back into soil for plant uptake.

About African Violet Fertilizer

Not all plant foods are alike. African violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, plus trace minerals. The recommended ratio for African violets is 14-12-14. There are commercial formulas available specifically for fertilizing African violets, but many of these use urea as the nitrogen source. In certain conditions, urea can burn the plant’s roots.

A formula that uses ammonium nitrate may be a little bit more costly but is gentler on the roots. In instances where the plant is not blooming well, use a formula with a higher amount of phosphorus.

How to Feed African Violet Plants

These little plants need feeding every 4 to 6 weeks during their growing period. Prior to feeding, moisten the soil well. Use a liquid or soluble powder formula that will provide instant delivery. If you are using a concentrated liquid, follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution.

Municipal water supplies can contain chlorine and should be allowed to sit for 24 hours before preparing African violet fertilizer. Excess chlorine is toxic to the plants. For a more organic route, you can also use worm castings, diluted compost tea or fish emulsion. These are primarily nitrogen, however, so add a little bat guano, which is available to purchase.

To avoid the build-up of toxic salts deposited in soil, flush the container at least four times per year and wipe the crusted salts from around the top edge.

Some people that grow houseplants think they’ll have issues when growing African violets. However, these plants are simple to keep up if you start with the right soil for African violets and the proper location. This article will help provide tips on the most suitable African violet growing medium.

About African Violet Soil

Since these specimens demand proper watering, you’ll want to use the right African violet growing medium. You can mix your own or choose from a number of brands available online or at your local garden center.

The right potting mix for African violets allows air to reach the roots. In their native environment of the “Tanga region of Tanzania in Africa,” this specimen is found growing in crevices of mossy rocks. This allows a good amount of air to reach the roots. African violet soil should allow water to move through while having the proper amount of water retention without cutting off airflow. Some additives help roots to grow bigger and stronger. Your mix should be well-draining, porous, and fertile.

Typical houseplant soil is too heavy and restricts airflow because the decomposed peat it contains encourages too much water retention. This type of soil can cause the death of your plant. However, when it is mixed with equal parts of coarse vermiculite and perlite, you have an appropriate mix for African violets. Pumice is an alternative ingredient, often used for succulents and other fast-draining planting mixes.

Mixes you buy contain sphagnum peat moss (not decomposed), coarse sand, and/or horticultural vermiculite and perlite. If you wish to make your own potting mix, choose from these ingredients. If you already have a houseplant mix that you want to include, add 1/3 coarse sand to bring it to the porosity you need. As you can see, there is no “soil” used in the mixes. In fact, many houseplant potting mixes contain no soil at all.

You may want some fertilizer included in the mix to help feed your plants. A premium African Violet mix contains additional ingredients such earthworm castings, compost, or composted/aged bark. The castings and the compost act as nutrients for the plants, as does decomposing bark. You will likely want to use additional feedings for the optimum health of your African violet plant.

Whether making your own mix or purchasing one that is ready-made, moisten it slightly before planting your African violets. Lightly water in and locate the plants in an east-facing window. Don’t water again until the top of the soil is dry to the touch.

Although African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) hail from Africa, lots of people in the United States grow them as indoor plants. They are easy to care for and beautiful, blooming most of the year, but that doesn’t make them free of aphids or other pests.

When you find African violet pests attacking your favorite potted plants, you need to take appropriate action. Read on for information on managing African violet insects, including tips for African violet aphid control.

About African Violet Pests

African violets have come a long way from their native home in the coastal woods of east Africa. Their vibrant blossoms in blues, pinks, and lavenders can be seen on window sills everywhere since they have become one of the most popular house plants in our country.

But the flower’s popularity doesn’t prevent African violet pests from going on the attack. While one pest – root-knot nematodes – can kill the plant, most pests are irritating bugs like aphids that can be controlled relatively easily.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that such juices from plants, causing some distortion of new growth. These pests can be light green, dark green, brown, or black. If you have an African violet with aphids, you may not even notice the bugs until you notice honeydew, the sweet substance secreted by the bugs. Ants love honeydew, so aphids on African violets may lead to ants on African violets too.

Managing African Violet Insects

Fortunately, African violet aphid control is fairly easy. Usually, when you have African violets with aphids, you can use simple warm water and dish soap to remove them. Alternatively, you can find different pesticides that will kill aphids on African violets. But for these and other pests, it’s always better to try non-chemical methods first. Neem oil is another option.

The best strategy for managing African violet insects other than aphids depends on the type of pest involved. Management techniques range from spraying water on pests to limiting irrigation.

For example, if your African violet pests are small black flies that seem to be running around the soil or flitting about randomly, you are dealing with fungus gnats. The larvae look like small worms that spin webs on the soil surface.

Fungus gnat larvae feed on the roots of the African violet plants, but the adults do not cause any direct damage. Still, they are annoying. Your best strategy is to reduce the amount of water you give your African violet to reduce the gnat population.

Another of the African violet pests you might see on your plant is the mealybug. They suck juices out of the plant leaves, which distorts them. If your plant has mealybugs, eliminate them by spraying on warm water. Alternatively, use an alcohol-dipped cotton swab.

The African violet is one of our most common and beloved houseplants. They are quite easy to care for and have fuzzy leaved charm combined with sweet flowers. African violet pruning is one important care ritual that keeps the plant attractive. Pruning African violets doesn't require shears or loppers but rather just a capable pair of hands. Read on for tips on how to prune an African violet and keep your little plant its showstopping best.

About African Violet Pruning

African violets are a bit old fashioned, but they are still one of the most popular indoor blooming plants. With their softly furred leaves, intensely colored blooms and diminutive size, they snuggle into any moderately bright area of the home. One of the easiest chores that helps the plant attain perfection is trimming African violets. This is a relatively simple task that just needs a little finesse but no real skill or timing. When we talk about pruning, it is easy to envision a tree or shrub and some large bladed cutting implements. These tools have nothing to do with trimming African violets, whose soft stems respond well to lighter means. All you need are some moderately useful fingernails or finely tipped scissors. When you cut back an African violet, the goal is simply to remove dead or damaged leaves and spent flowers. It is strictly a beauty regimen that also allows new growth to access more light and air. You can cut back an African violet at any time of the year, unlike the pruning rules on many other types of plants.

How to Prune an African Violet

In order to keep the plant at its healthiest, remove three or more bottom leaves every month. The plant produces leaves regularly, and this will help balance the appearance of the violet while allowing old leaves to make room for new. Remove spent flowers as they occur. This will help promote the growth of new blooms because the plant doesn't have to direct any energy to old flowers. It also enhances the appearance of the plant and encourages air flow. Using your forefinger and thumb to pinch off the leaf or flower is one way of pruning African violets. You can also use sterilized scissors. Remove plant material as close to the base as possible without cutting into the main stem.

Bonus of Pruning Basal Leaves

African violets are very forgiving plants and don't mind the removal of some healthy basal leaves as you strive for the plant's best appearance. Best of all, these leaves are useful for starting new African violets. Fill a small pot with well-draining, moistened African violet soil and insert the leaf petiole into the medium. You can also root the leaf in water. Use toothpicks to support the leave itself above the water. In just a few months, you will have many new leaves and the plant will soon begin to produce those beguiling flowers.

African violets are cheery little plants that don’t appreciate a lot of fuss and muss. In other words, they’re the perfect plant for busy (or forgetful) folks. Dividing an African violet– or separating African violet “pups”– is an easy way to generate more plants to spread around your house or to share with lucky friends. Read on to learn more about African violet plant division.

African Violet Sucker Propagation

Exactly what are African violet pups? Pups, also known as suckers, are miniature plants that grow from the base of the mother plant. A pup grows from the plant’s main stem– not from a leaf or the crown. A mature African violet might have one pup or it may have several. Removing suckers is a good way to propagate a new plant, but it also keeps the mother plant healthy, as suckers can rob the plant of nutrients and energy, thus reducing flowering and shortening the life of the plant.

How to Separate African Violet Suckers

Separating African violet pups is easy and will result in another plant that can be given away to family or friends…or you may simply want more to add to your own collection. Water the African violet the day before you intend to separate the pups. Then fill a 2 inch (5 cm.) clay or plastic container with a commercial potting mix consisting of peat and perlite, or any well-drained mix. Don’t use a larger pot as too much damp potting mix can rot the pup. Slide the mother plant carefully out of the pot. Push the leaves apart gently to find the pups. Remove the pup from the mother plant with scissors or a sharp knife. Make a hole in the center of the pot with your fingertip. Insert the pup in the hole, then firm potting mix gently around the stem. Water lightly. Create a miniature greenhouse by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag. You can also use a clean plastic milk jug with the “spout” end cut off. Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Make sure the pup is protected from drafts or heating vents. Water lightly as needed, using lukewarm water, to keep the potting mix lightly moist but never soggy. Feed the pup once every week, using a mixture of ¼ teaspoon of balanced, water-soluble fertilizer in one gallon of water. Always water the pup before applying fertilizer. Open the bag or remove the cover occasionally to provide fresh air. This is especially important if you notice condensation inside the plastic. Remove the plastic cover for a short period after four weeks, then gradually increase the time every day until the pup is no longer protected by the greenhouse environment.

There’s something so simple and soothing about African violets. Their perky, even sometimes dramatic, flowers can cheer up any windowsill while their fuzzy foliage softens harsher settings. For some, African violets bring back thoughts of grandma’s house, but for others they can be a source of much frustration. Problems like spots on African violet leaves seem to come out of nowhere, turning a beautiful plant into a nightmare overnight. Read on to learn more about ring spot on African violet plants.

About African Violet Ring Spot

Of all the African violet diseases, African violet ring spot is about the least serious that you can encounter. In fact, it’s really not even a disease, though it presents just like one. When leaves on African violets are spotty and you’ve ruled out fungal and viral pathogens, there’s only one answer that makes sense: African violet ring spot. Hobbyists are far too familiar with this problem, but it’s an easy one to manage. Spots on African violet leaves appear when the leaves themselves are watered. In fact, studies from as far back as the 1940's were designed to solve the mystery behind this anomaly. Both Poesch (1940) and Eliot (1946) noted that African violets can experience foliage damage when the temperature of the water is around 46 degrees F. (8 C.) lower than the plant tissues. Inside the leaf, the cold surface water is doing something akin to frostbite, where chloroplasts are rapidly broken down. In other cases, warm water standing on leaf surfaces can amplify ultraviolet rays and cause a sunburn on these sensitive tissues.

Treating African Violet Ring Spot

At the end of the day, African violets are really very delicate plants and require careful attention to the temperatures of their tissues. African violet ring spot damage can’t be reversed, but the behavior that causes it can be corrected and new leaves will eventually grow to replace the injured ones. First, never, ever water an African violet’s foliage – this is a sure way to create more ring spots or worse. Watering from the bottom is the secret to African violet success. You can buy self-watering planters designed specifically for African violets, install a wick into your plant’s pot and use it to water from below, or simply water your plant from a saucer or dish. Whichever method you prefer, remember that these plants are also prone to root rot, so without special hardware, like fancy pots or wicking systems, you’ll need to be careful to remove any standing water that comes in direct contact with the soil once your watering is done.

White powder on African violet leaves is an indication that your plant has been infested by a nasty fungal disease. Although powdery mildew on African violets isn’t usually deadly, it can definitely impact the overall health and appearance of leaves and stems, stunt plant growth, and reduce blooming substantially. If left untreated, leaves may dry and turn yellow or brown. Wondering what to do about African violets with powdery mildew? Looking for tips on African violet fungal control? Read on.

Causes of Powdery Mildew on African Violets

Powdery mildew thrives where conditions are warm and humid and air circulation is poor. Temperature fluctuations and low light can also contribute to fungal disease. Treating African violets with powdery mildew means taking precautions to avoid these conditions.

African Violet Fungal Control

If your African violets have powdery mildew fungus, you must first isolate affected plants to prevent the spread of disease. Remove dead plant parts too. Reduce humidity. Avoid overcrowding and provide adequate space around plants. Use a fan to circulate the air, especially when the air is damp, or temperatures are high. Keep plants where temperatures are as consistent as possible. Ideally, temperatures shouldn’t vary more than ten degrees. Sulfur dust is sometimes effective, but usually doesn’t help much unless it’s applied before the mildew appears. Water African violets carefully and avoid wetting the leaves. Remove blooms as soon as they fade. If powdery mildew on African violets doesn’t improve, try spraying the plants lightly with a mixture of 1 teaspoon (5 ml.) of baking soda in 1 quart (1 L.) of water. You can also spray the air around the plant with Lysol or another household disinfectant but be careful not to get too much spray on the leaves. You may need to dispose of badly affected plants that show no sign of improvement.

African violets are very popular flowering plants. Small, easy to care for, and attractive, they’re often grown as houseplants. The watering needs of houseplants can be tricky, however, and inadequate watering can lead to serious problems. One very common problem is crown rot. Keep reading to learn more about how to spot crown rot in African violets and African violet crown rot treatment.

Crown Rot in African Violets

Also frequently known as root rot, crown rot develops when an African violet’s growing medium is too wet. There’s more at work than decomposition, however. Crown rot is a disease, and the disease is caused by a fungus called Pythium ultimum. The fungus thrives in wet conditions, spreading through the growing medium and feeding on the plant’s roots and crown. If the fungus spreads too far (and the wetter it is, the quicker it spreads), it will kill the plant.

Controlling African Violet Crown Rot

Crown rot on African violet plants is evident in roots that become dark and soft. Unfortunately, the roots are hidden underground, so you won’t be able to notice this telltale symptom. Even more unfortunate, the most obvious above ground sign of African violet crown rot is leaves that wither, turn yellow, and eventually fall off. This is unfortunate because it’s basically indistinguishable from the sign of an African violet that’s not getting enough water. Many African violet owners misread these symptoms and wind up overwatering a plant that’s already suffering from too much water. The best way to avoid this is to pay attention to soil moisture. Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but let it become dry to the touch between waterings. The best method for controlling African violet crown rot is prevention-- always let the soil dry to the touch between waterings. Since there really isn’t an effective African violet crown rot treatment, if your plant is already infected, dispose of it and its growing medium, and sterilize its pot before using it again.

Most plants start out cute and little in garden centers and nurseries. They can even remain that way for a long time when we get them home. Just as age changes our bodies, age can change a plant’s shape and structure as well. For instance, with age, African violets can develop long bare necks between the soil line and their lower leaves. Continue reading to learn what you can do when African violets are leggy like this.

Why Do African Violets Get Leggy?

New growth on African violets grows from the plant tip. As new growth grows from the top spending much of the plant’s energy, the old leaves at the bottom of the plant die back. After a time, this can leave you with long-necked African violet plants. The leaves of African violets do not like to be wet. African violets should be planted in a well-draining soil mix and water right at the soil. African violets are susceptible to rot, molds, and fungus if water is allowed to pool on the foliage or around the crown. This can cause leggy African violets also.

What to Do When African Violet Stems are too Long

When an African violet is young, you can prolong its beauty by giving it African violet food, keeping its foliage clean and dry, and up potting it about once a year. When potting it up, only use a slightly bigger pot, cut away any dead lower leaves, and plant it slightly deeper than it was before to bury any long neck it may be developing. A similar method of repotting can be done for long-necked African violet plants that have up to an inch (2.5 cm.) of bare stem. Remove the plant from the pot and cut off any dead or damaged bottom foliage. Then, with a knife, gently scrape away the top layer of the bare stem, exposing the inner cambium layer. Exposure of this cambium layer promotes growth. Lightly dust the scraped long neck with rooting hormone, then plant the African violet deeply enough so that the neck is under the soil and the foliage is just above the soil line. If the African violet stem is bare and leggy more than an inch (2.5 cm.), the best method of saving it is cutting the plant off at the soil level and re-rooting it. Fill a pot with a well-draining soil mix and cut the African violet stems at the soil level. Remove any dead or sickly foliage. Scrape or score the stem end to be planted and dust it with rooting hormone. Then plant the African violet cutting in its new pot.

African violets are a houseplant with many seasons of beauty. These small plants grace the home with their classic tiny violet blooms but also come in other colors and double petal varieties. The plants have a few peccadilloes regarding water and fertilizer, but are otherwise easy to grow. When African violet leaves are yellow, the plant is signaling that it has either a shortage or excess of something. Knowing how to take care of yellowing African violets can minimize the effect, but lower leaf yellowing is a natural part of the growth process and not a cause for worry.

Common Reasons for Yellow African Violet Leaves

African violet leaves usually only live for about a year. It's a common trait for the older leaves to fade and turn yellow before they die and drop off, leaving room for new foliage. If the lower leaves are not the only ones turning yellow, it's time to investigate a few potential causes. Cultural care, lighting or disease may all be potential reasons for African violet leaves turning yellow. Water issues – One of the most common explanations when African violet leaves are yellow is incorrect watering practices. The leaves don't tolerate water directly on them, and the foliage will respond by developing yellow or bleached, necrotic spots or ring spot. When the water is warmer or colder than the leaf itself, the cells inside collapse and the leaf becomes discolored. There is no cure for the leaf, but you can avoid future damage by watering under the leaves. There are even special watering cans for African violets with longer stems to reach the soil surface under the foliage. You can also minimize damage by using room temperature water. Lighting – African violet plants don't perform well in direct light and strong sun; however, they do need light to produce energy and form flowers. The best site is a southeast or west window. Place the plant 3 feet (91 cm.) away from the window for best light. Plants that are grown further inside the home or office under unnatural lighting will turn yellow on the edges. This is a signal that the plant isn't getting sufficient light. Leaves will recover if you move the plant to a brighter location in indirect light. Fertilizing – Lack of food is another cause of African violet leaves turning yellow. The condition indicates the plant may need supplemental feeding to produce deep green, fuzzy leaves. Use a food prepared for African violets and dilute it according to the directions. Fertilize once per month in the growing season. To prevent over-fertilizing, drench the soil four times per year to remove excess salts.

How to Take Care of Yellowing African Violets

In addition to drenching the soil, it's necessary to repot your plant at least every two years. The soil will gradually lose its nutrient content and texture, making it difficult for the plant to uptake water and food. Use an appropriate mixture, which is usually sphagnum peat moss with some vermiculite. African violets don't do well in traditional potting soil. If your home has low humidity, place the potted plant on a saucer filled with pebbles and a small amount of water. Change the water every few days to minimize gnats. Pinch off old leaves and remove spent blooms to encourage new growth. With good lighting, watering and occasional food, your African violet should be back in the pink -- or rather green, again.

An African violet plant is a popular home and office plant due to the fact that it will happily bloom in low light conditions and needs very little care. While most are started from cuttings, African violets can be grown from seed. Starting an African violet from seed is a little more time consuming than starting cuttings, but you'll end up with many more plants. Keep reading to learn how to start African violets from seed.

How to Get Seeds from African Violets

It is often easiest to simply buy your African violet seeds from a reputable online seller. African violets can be tricky when it comes to forming seeds and, even when they do, the plants grown from the seeds rarely look like the parent plant. Despite this, if you would still like to get seeds from your African violets, you will need to hand pollinate the plant. Wait until the flowers start to open and take note of which flower opens first. This will be your “female” flower. After is has been open for two to three days, watch for another flower to open. This will be your male flower. As soon as the male flower is open, use a small paintbrush and gently swirl it around the center of the male flower to pick up pollen. Then swirl it around the center of the female flower to pollinate the female flower. If the female flower was successfully fertilized, you will see a pod form in the center of the flower in about 30 days. If no capsule forms, the pollination was not successful and you will need to try again. If the pod forms, it takes about two months for it to fully mature. After two months, remove the pod from the plant and carefully crack it open to harvest the seeds.

Growing African Violet Plants from Seeds

Planting African violet seeds starts with the right growing medium. A popular growing medium for starting African violet seeds is peat moss. Fully dampen the peat moss before you start planting the African violet seeds. It should be moist but not wet. The next step in starting an African violet from seed is to carefully and evenly spread the seeds over the growing medium. This can be difficult, as the seeds are very small but do the best that you can to spread them evenly. After you have spread the African violet seeds, they don't need to be covered with more growing medium; they are so small that covering them even with a small amount of peat moss can bury them too deeply. Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the top of the peat moss and then cover the container in plastic wrap. Place the container in a bright window out of direct sunlight or under fluorescent lights. Make sure the peat moss stays moist and spray the peat moss when it starts to dry out. The African violet seeds should germinate in one to nine weeks. The African violet seedlings can be transplanted to their own pots when the largest leaf is about 1/2 inch (1 cm.) wide. If you need to separate seedlings that are growing too close together, you can do this when the African violet seedlings have leaves that are about 1/4 inch (6 mm.) wide.

Delicate, fuzzy-leafed African violets are exotic, agreeable plants with flowers that come in a wide range of pinks to purples. They always lend a soft touch of bright color and coziness to any room. Do you find yourself wanting more African violets? No need to go buy new plants…they’re easy and fun to propagate. Once you understand how simple it is to propagate African violets, it’s easy to become a bit obsessed with them.

Propagating African Violets from Seed

You can propagate African violets from seed, but it does require a couple of specific conditions. To sprout these tiny seeds, it’s good to use a light soil mixture of peat, vermiculite and greensand. A bit of Epsom salt can help to lighten the soil even more. It’s important that you have a warm space, so make sure your room temperature is between 65- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 C.). This should also be the temperature of your soil for optimal sprouting. Your seeds should germinate in 8 to 14 days.

Growing African Violets from Leaf Cuttings

Propagating African violets from leaf cuttings is the most popular method because it’s so easy and successful. Plan to do this project in the spring. Using a sterile knife or scissors, remove a healthy leaf along with its stem from the base of the plant. Trim the stem down to about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm.). You may want to dip the tip of the stem into some rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a one-inch deep (2.5 cm) hole in potting soil. Press the soil firmly around it and water thoroughly with tepid water. It’s a good idea to create a little greenhouse environment for your cutting by covering the pot with a plastic bag and securing it with a rubber band, being sure to give the cutting some occasional fresh air. Place the pot in a sunny location, keeping the soil just moist. Roots will usually form in 3 to 4 weeks. The leaves of new little plants usually appear in 6 to 8 weeks. You should see several plants form at the base the cutting. Separate the small new plants by carefully pulling or cutting them apart. Each of them will give you a brand new plant.

Dividing African Violet Plants

Separating plants is another method of easy African violet propagation. Using the division technique involves cutting the crown from the plant or separating the pups, or suckers, from a plant, making sure that each portion you’ve cut away has a piece of the main plant’s root system. This is great if your African violets have grown too large for their pots. Each piece can be planted its own pot with suitable African violet potting soil mix to instantly multiply your collection of African violets. It’s fun to see your home propagated seedlings turn into full sized, flowering plants. Propagating African violets is a great pastime for people who love them. It’s fun to add to your houseplant collection with these attractive and easy-care plants. They’re so simple to propagate, you can easily fill a sunlit room or office space with them.