African violets (Saintpaulia) are a beautiful and popular plant, but they can be finicky when it comes to their light requirements. In their natural habitat, they grow in partial to full shade under the canopy of taller trees. This means they are used to relatively low light levels.
Too much light can cause the leaves of African violets to yellow and the flowers to fade. Conversely, not enough light will result in leggy, spindly growth and fewer flowers. For best results, aim for a balance between the two. African violets will do well in a spot that gets bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day.
African violets need bright, indirect light. They should be placed near a window where they will receive indirect sunlight for most of the day.
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 maintain their blooms.
Can African violets get too much light
African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. If they are exposed to direct sunlight, they will scorch. In some cases, too much sunlight will turn variegated leaf varieties entirely green.
African violets are known to grow well and stay healthy when they receive ample indirect light. However, if they do not receive enough light, they will produce few or no flowers and their leaves will become darker green and thin with long, weak stems. African violets can be easily grown under artificial lights, making them a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of environments.
Should African violets be misted?
It is important to water African violets carefully so that the crown of the plant does not become saturated and rot. Do not mist the foliage, as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. Use room temperature water.
African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so choose a pot that’s on the smaller side
Professional Tip: If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
How often should African violets be watered?
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. Fill a tray with gravel and set the African violet pot on top of the gravel. Fill the tray with water so that the water level is just below the top of the gravel. The water will wick up into the pot and keep the soil moist.
If you can barely see the shade of your hand over the Violet, then it is getting the correct amount of light. Always give your African Violets plenty of indirect sunlight.
How do I keep my African violet blooming
Houseplants tend to prefer bright, indirect sun. Too little sunlight can cause them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers, while too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is often ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun’s harshest rays. Houseplants also need eight hours of darkness every night in order to thrive.
Watering your plant is important to keeping it healthy and encouraging blooming. Make sure to keep the soil moist to dry, and allow the soil around the roots to dry out before watering. Water from the bottom by placing the plastic grower’s pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water for no more than 30 minutes.
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 Violets once every 14 days. In the fall and winter, you shouldn’t fertilize the plant at all to prevent over-fertilizing.
Why can’t African violets get wet
African violets are beautiful plants that can brighten up any space. However, they are quite sensitive to cold water and this can sometimes cause white rings (ring spot) to form on the leaves. To avoid this, it is best to let tap water sit overnight before watering. This will also allow any chlorine to evaporate. For African violets, it is best to use a light, porous potting mix.
The African Violet is a beautiful plant that is native to Africa. The plant gets its name from the violet colored flowers that it produces. The African Violet is a popular houseplant and is easy to care for. The roots of the African Violet need aeration, so keeping them moderately moist but never soggy is the key. Watering from the bottom so they can soak the water up, over an hour or so, will help to keep water out of the crown of the plant. African Violets like warmer water, around 70 degrees.
How long do African violets live?
African violets typically need to be repotted every 12-18 months. “Over time, the potting mix will breakdown and become compacted, which can lead to problems with drainage and aeration,” says McEnaney. “Repotting will refresh the potting mix and help ensure that your plant continues to thrive.”
If you have overwatered your African Violet plant, 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.
Conclusion
African violets need bright, indirect light.
African violets need bright, indirect light. They will do best if they are in a spot that gets several hours of sunlight each day. African violets need to be watered regularly, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering.
