Different African violets require different amounts of light. There are those that need as much light as possible, and others that prefer lower light levels. The amount of light your African violet needs will be determined by the variety that you have.
African violets need moderate light, preferably from a south- or west-facing window. They will tolerate lower light levels, but their growth will be slower and they may produce fewer flowers.
Do African violets do well in low light?
African violets need indirect light to grow well and stay healthy. They will produce fewer or no flowers and have darker green leaves with long, weak stems if they don’t get enough light. Artificial lights can help them grow better.
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.
How do I know when my African violet needs more light
If your African violet isn’t getting enough sun, it’ll let you know. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, leggy stems, and stunted bloom growth, the telltale signs that your plant is undernourished and needs more sun to stimulate healthy photosynthesis processes.
African violets need indirect sunlight to thrive. A north- or east- facing window is best to provide the right amount of light. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. During winter months, place African violets under a grow light to extend the amount of daylight they receive.
How often should African violets be watered?
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. The way it works is you place a wick in the bottom of the pot and then water the plant from the top. The water will then travel down the wick and into the soil, giving the plant the moisture it needs.
When watering your African violet, be careful not to mist the foliage as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature and avoid saturating the crown of the plant as this can lead to crown rot.
Do African violets need bigger pots?
African violets do best when slight pot-bound, so choose a smaller pot. If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
It is best to avoid brushing the leaves of african violets as it can eventually lead to a decrease in plant quality and size. So the next time you are tempted to reach out and touch one of these pretty plants, think twice and resist the urge!
How do I keep my African violet blooming
If you want your African violets to bloom, they need bright, indirect sunlight. 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. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
If you find that your violets have excessive moisture on their crown leaves, it’s important to take action immediately. This moisture makes the plants highly susceptible to a number of deadly pathogens, such as Crown Rot and Pythium. Much less serious, though still alarming, are the brown or yellow leaf spots which result from leaving water on the leaves. To protect your plants, make sure to remove any excess moisture and keep an eye out for any signs of disease.
What do Overwatered African violets look like?
If you notice your African Violet plant’s leaves turning soft, limp, or mushy, this is a sign that it has been over-watered and the soil is retaining too much water. To fix this, allow the soil to dry out completely between watering and be sure to drainage holes in the pot to avoid water pooling.
African violets are sensitive to overwatering, so it’s important to only water when the soil is almost dry. Depending on the conditions (temperature, season, size of the African violet’s container, etc.), you’ll usually need to water about once a week. The best way to water African violets is by bottom watering, which helps to avoid water getting on the leaves and causing them to rot.
How long do African violets live
African violets should be repotted every 12 to 18 months to ensure that they have enough room to grow. Over time, the roots of the plant will become crowded and will not be able to absorb enough nutrients from the soil. This can lead to stunted growth and fewer blooms.
Your African Violet needs fertilizer to stay healthy throughout the year. 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.
Are African violets hard to keep alive?
Assuming you would like tips on how to care for an African violet:
Light: African violets prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, so it’s best to err on the side of too little sun rather than too much.
Water: Water your African violet when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s important to not let the soil get too dry or too soggy, so make sure you’re monitoring it closely. Water from the bottom by filling a saucer with water and letting the plant sit in it for a few minutes.
Temperature: African violets do best in warm temperatures, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Potting: When potting African violets, use a pot that is only slightly larger than the plant. African violets like to be snug in their pots. Use a well-draining potting mix specifically for African violets.
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, chloramines, and dissolved solids can all have negative effects on these delicate plants, so it is best to avoid them if possible.
Warp Up
African violets need bright, indirect light. They will tolerate some direct sun, but too much direct sun can scorch their leaves.
African violets need bright, indirect light for best growth and flower production. If they don’t get enough light, they’ll stretch and become leggy. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
