The African violet (Saintpaulia) is a flowering plant native to Tanzania and adjacent southeastern Kenya. They are the largest genus in the family Gesneriaceae, with a total of 22 described species. The genus name was given by the exploratory botanist Baron Walter von Saint Paul (1860-1925), and the common name given by Nathaniel Bacon in 1892. African violets are small herbs with leaves that are usually ovate to heart-shaped with scalloped margins. The flowers are borne singly on slender stems and have a five-lobed blue, purple, or white corolla.
African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. They can be placed in a spot that receives a few hours of direct sunlight each day, as long as the light is not too intense and the leaves are not allowed to scorch.
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.
Once a week, water your African violet with lukewarm water, allowing the plant to completely dry between waterings. One ingenious way of making sure your African violets are never over watered is by setting up a wicking system.
Can African violets get too much light
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.
African violets need indirect sunlight. 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 need bigger pots?
When choosing a pot for your African violet, it is best to choose a pot that is on the smaller side. This is because African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound. A professional tip is to choose a pot that is 3-4 inches in diameter if you have a standard African violet plant.
It is very important to not mist the foliage of African violets as this can cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature and be sure to not saturate the crown of the plant as this can lead to crown rot.
Can I water African violets with tap water?
If you’re not sure about the quality of your tap water, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use filtered or distilled water for your African violets. This will help to ensure that your plants get the cleanest water possible and help to prevent any potential problems.
African violets typically need to be repotted every two to three years. But, it’s important to keep an eye on your individual plants and repot them as necessary. You’ll know it’s time to repot your African violet when the plant becomes rootbound, meaning the roots are filling up the pot and there’s little room for the plant to grow. Other signs include yellowing leaves, decreased blooming, or wilting.
Is it best to water African violets from the bottom
Watering your plant is very important to keep the soil moist to dry. You want to allow the soil around the roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming. Watering from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower’s pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water (not more than 30 minutes) is the best way to water your plant.
African violets need fertilizer to stay healthy throughout the year. The best time to fertilize them is during the spring and summer, when they should be fertilized once every 14 days. In the fall and winter, it’s best not to fertilize the plants at all, to prevent over-fertilizing.
How do I know if my African violet is getting enough light?
If you can barely see the shade of your hand over the Violet, then it is getting the correct amount of light. African Violets need indirect sunlight to thrive.
If you’re looking to add some life to your home with some flowers, you might want to consider getting a peace lily. They prefer bright, indirect sun and an east-facing window is ideal. Too little sunlight will cause them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers, while too much sun can burn the leaves. They also need eight hours of darkness every night.
Should African violets be watered once a week
Bottom watering is the best way to water African violets. Water the soil around the African violet when the soil is almost dry. This is usually about once a week, but it may be more or less often depending on conditions such as temperature, season, and the size of the African violet’s container.
African violets grow best with ample indirect light. Without enough light, they will have 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 great option for those who don’t have access to natural light.
Why do you water African violets from the bottom?
The roots of the African Violet need aeration, so keeping them moderately moist but never soggy is the key to keeping them healthy. 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 and prevent rot. African Violets like warmer water, around 70 degrees.
Terra cotta is ideal for African violets because the porous material allows the roots to breath better and prevents the soil from staying too wet. African Violet roots don’t go very deep; they like to go sideways, so don’t use a deep pot. Your pot must have suitable drainage holes so you can water from underneath.
Conclusion
African violets require bright, indirect sunlight. They can tolerate some direct sun, but too much direct sun will scorch the leaves.
African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. They can tolerate some direct sun, but too much will scorch their leaves. When grown indoors, a south-facing window is ideal.
