African violets are a type of plant that is native to Africa. They are known for their small, delicate flowers and their ability to thrive in shady areas. However, african violets also enjoy a few hours of sunshine each day. This helps them to produce more flowers and helps the leaves to stay a healthy green color.
It is best to avoid direct sunlight when growing African violets. The leaves will become sunburned, which will damage the plant.
How much sunlight does African violet need?
African violets require a minimum of 8 hours of light per day and 8 hours of darkness per night to thrive. For long lasting blooms, 12 hours of natural sunlight per day is ideal. African violets need bright light during the day to encourage blooming.
African violets need plenty of sunlight, but only indirect sunlight. If violets get more than this, they will begin to show signs of scorching on the leaves and flowers. In some cases, too much sunlight will turn variegated leaf varieties entirely green.
How often should you water an African violet
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. By only watering once a week and allowing the plant to completely dry between waterings, you can be sure that your plants will stay healthy and happy.
If you want your plants to have the best color and blooms, grow them in bright, indirect light. An ideal location for a plant stand is three feet away from a west- or south-facing window. Plants will still grow when situated right beside north- or east-facing windows, but leaves will be thin and spindly, and plants less likely to bloom.
How do I keep my African violet blooming?
Houseplants need bright, indirect sun to thrive. Too little sunlight will cause them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers. Too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun’s harshest rays. Houseplants also need eight hours of darkness every night.
African violets thrive when they are slightly pot-bound, so it is best to choose a pot that is on the smaller side. A professional tip is to use a pot that is 3-4 inches in diameter for a standard African violet plant.
Should African violets be misted?
Water your African violet sparingly, and never mist the foliage. Water on the foliage may cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature, and always let the excess water drain away. 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.
If you want your African Violet to stay healthy throughout the year, you need to fertilize it regularly. During the spring and summer, you should fertilize your African Violets once every 14 days. In the fall and winter, you shouldn’t fertilize the plant at all to prevent over-fertilizing.
Should African violets be watered once a week
When watering African violets, it is best to water from the bottom of the pot. This can be done by placing the pot in a dish of water and letting the water soak up from the bottom. African violets usually only need to be watered once a week, but this can vary depending on the temperature and the size of the pot.
If you are unsure about the quality of your tap water, it is best to use distilled or filtered water for your African violets. This will help to ensure that your plants are not adversely affected by any chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids that may be present in your tap water.
How long do African violets live?
African violets are such beautiful and long-lasting plants, it’s important to know when to repot them to keep them healthy and blooming for years to come. Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries, says, “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years.” He recommends repotting them every two to three years, or whenever you see that the plant has outgrown its pot. This will ensure that your African violet has the room it needs to continue to grow and flourish.
To clean African Violet leaves, fill a spray bottle with room temperature or tepid water and spray the leaves. Rub the top and bottom of the leaves with your fingers to clean. You can also use the spray bottle method to clean the leaves with liquid soap.
Should you touch African violet leaves
It’s best to avoid brushing the leaves of african violets, as this can actually harm the plant over time. Repeated brushing can lead to decreased quality and size in the plant, so it’s best to just admire from a distance!
African violets need indirect sunlight – direct sunlight 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.
Do African violets like to be watered from the bottom?
African violet plants are best watered from the bottom up. Place the plant in a shallow tray of water for 30 minutes, allowing the soil to soak up the water through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This method of watering will help to prevent the leaves from getting wet and ensure that the plant gets the moisture it needs.
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No, African violets like indirect light.
No, African violets do not like sunshine. They prefer indirect sunlight or artificial light. African violets need at least six hours of light each day to bloom properly.
