African violets are popular houseplants that are known for their beautiful flowers. Although they are commonly thought to need a lot of sunlight, african violets actually do not need direct sunlight to thrive. They will do best in bright, indirect light, such as near a south-facing window. With the right care, african violets can bloom year-round.
Yes, African violets need sunshine. They should be placed in an east or south-facing window to get bright, indirect sunlight.
Where is the best place to put an African violet?
If you want your plants to have the best color and blooms, grow them in bright, indirect light. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. 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.
African violets require at least 8 hours of light per day and at least 8 hours of darkness per night to thrive. For long-lasting blooms, 12 hours a day of natural sunlight is ideal. African violets need bright light during the day to produce blooms.
Can African violets get too much sun
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.
One way to make sure your African violets are never over watered is by setting up a wicking system. With this system, water is drawn up from a reservoir and into the soil, providing the perfect amount of moisture for your plants.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
It is best to water African violets from the bottom to avoid leaf spots. Just be sure to use lukewarm or warm water, never cold.
It’s important to choose a pot that’s on the smaller side when you’re growing African violets. This will help to keep the plant slightly pot-bound, which is ideal for its growth. A professional tip is to choose a pot that’s 3-4 inches in diameter if you’re growing a standard African violet plant.
How do I keep my African violet blooming?
If you want your African violets to bloom, they need bright, indirect sunlight. If they don’t get enough sunlight, they’ll 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. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
This is a great product to use on African violets and other blooming houseplants. It really helps to bring out their color and makes them look their best. I highly recommend it!
What is the best way to water African violets
The best way to water an African violet plant is from the bottom up. Place your 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.
Water your African violet lightly and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent leaf spotting. Use room-temperature water and water the plant at the base, being careful not to saturate the crown of the plant to prevent crown rot.
How often do you feed African violets?
Your African Violet needs fertilizer to stay healthy throughout the year. During the spring and summer, you should fertilize your African Violet once every 14 days. In the fall and winter, you shouldn’t fertilize the plant at all, to prevent over-fertilizing.
African violets usually only need to be watered once a week, but this can vary depending on the temperature, season, and size of the African violet’s pot. Bottom watering (where you water the soil, not the leaves) is the best way to water African violets.
Can I water African violets with tap water
If you are unsure about the quality of your tap water, it is best to err on the side of caution and use filtered or distilled water for your African violets. Chlorine levels can fluctuate depending on the season and tap water in some areas may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All of these things may adversely affect your African violets, so it is best to use filtered or distilled water if you are unsure about the quality of your tap water.
To clean your African Violet leaves with soap, first fill a spray bottle with room temperature or tepid water. Next, add a few drops of liquid soap to the water and shake the bottle to mix. Spray the African Violet leaves with the soapy water and then rub the top and bottom of the leaves with your fingers to clean. Rinse the leaves with clean water and then allow them to dry.
What do Overwatered African violets look like?
If your African Violet plant has been over-watered, the soil will retain too much water. This retention of water will cause the leaves and /or leaf stems to turn soft, limp or mushy. To correct this, allow the plant to dry out completely and then water it thoroughly.
Terra cotta pots are ideal for African violets because they are porous and allow the roots to breathe while preventing the soil from becoming too wet. African violet roots don’t go very deep; they prefer to spread out sideways, so a shallow pot is best. Make sure your pot has suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath.
Final Words
No, African violets do not need direct sunlight. They thrive in bright, indirect light.
Yes, African violets need sunshine in order to bloom. The amount of sunlight depends on the variety of African violet, but most need at least four hours of indirect sunlight each day. Without enough sunlight, African violets will not bloom.
