If you’re looking to add a splash of color to your indoor space, African violets are a great option. These beautiful plants are relatively easy to care for, and with a little bit of TLC, they can bloom all year long. Here are a few tips on how to care for African violets inside your home.
To care for an African violet inside, water it when the soil is dry, give it bright but indirect sunlight, and fertilize it about once a month.
How often do you water African violets indoors?
A wicking system is a simple way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. All you need is a container with a wick, some water, and a little bit of patience!
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.
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 will help to prevent the leaves from getting wet, which can cause them to rot.
It is fine to water African violets from the top or bottom. The most important thing is to use lukewarm or warm water, not cold water. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun, as this can cause leaf spots.
Should African violets be misted?
It is important to not mist the foliage of African violets as this may cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature instead. 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.
It is important to be aware of the quality of your tap water when watering your African violets. Chlorine levels can fluctuate depending on the season and in some areas tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. These things may adversely affect your African violets, so it is best to use filtered or distilled water if possible.
Do African violets need bigger pots?
When choosing a pot for your African violet, it’s best to go with one that’s on the smaller side. This will help to keep the plant slightly pot-bound, which is ideal for its growth. Keep in mind that if you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
Instead of brushing the leaves of your African violet, try dusting them with a soft cloth or a paintbrush.
How do I know if my African violet needs to be repotted
When you see your African violet starting to wilt, it’s a sign that the plant has outgrown its pot and needs to be repotted. You’ll want to move it to a pot that is about twice the size of the current one. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes to help prevent root rot.
If your African violet isn’t blooming, it’s likely because it’s not getting enough light. African violets need indirect sunlight, as direct sunlight can burn the leaves. To ensure your plant gets enough light, choose a north- or east- facing window. You should also rotate the pot once a week, so all leaves receive light.
How do I get my African violet to bloom again?
If you want your African Violet to bloom again, there are a few things you can do:
1. Let there be light: Make sure your plant is getting enough light. African Violets need 12-14 hours of light per day, so if it’s not getting enough, that could be why it’s not blooming.
2. Turn up the humidity: African violets like high humidity, so try misting your plant or placing it on a pebble tray.
3. Replenish essential nutrients: Use a fertilizer made specifically for African violets and feed your plant every other week.
4. Keep it pleasant: African violets like temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so try to keep your plant in a spot that stays pretty consistent.
5. Choose the right soil: African violets need a well-draining soil that’s high in organic matter. You can buy a potting mix made specifically for African violets, or make your own by mixing two parts peat moss with one part perlite.
6. Protect from pests & disease: Keep an eye out for pests and disease and address them as soon as possible.
7. Const
Watering your plant is very important to keeping it healthy and encouraging blooming. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, and allow the soil around the roots to dry out before watering again. The best way to water your plant is from the bottom, using room temperature water. Place the plastic grower’s pot in a larger container of water and let the plant absorb the water for no more than 30 minutes.
How long should African violets sit in water
It’s important to let your African violet’s water sit for a bit before giving it to the plant. Make sure the water is either tepid or at room temperature. It’s best to let it sit for 24-48 hours, but if you can’t, then let it stand for at least an hour.
When watering your African Violet, make sure to use tepid water and pour from the bottom so that the water can seep through the clay pot and reach the roots. Water until it slightly begins to drain out of the holes on the bottom of the pot. Allow the pot to drain completely and do not discard the water that has drained out.
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. Over-watering can also cause the leaves to develop brown or yellow spots, or to fall off the plant entirely. If you think your African Violet has been over-watered, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Without fertilizer, your African Violet will not have the nutrients it needs to stay healthy throughout the year. During the spring and summer, you should fertilize your African Violet every 14 days to ensure it is getting the nutrients it needs. However, in the fall and winter you should not fertilize the plant at all to prevent over-fertilizing.
Warp Up
Water your African violet when the soil is dry to the touch. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.African violets need bright, indirect sunlight. If you can, place them near a south-facing window. The leaves of your African violet will tell you if it’s getting too much sun – they’ll turn yellow.
Use a potting mix specially formulated for African violets, as regular potting soil can be too heavy and retain too much water.
Fertilize African violets every other week with a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for blooming plants.
One way to care for African violets inside is to place the pots on trays of pebbles and water. The water will evaporate and help to keep the humidity around the plants at a high level. Another way to care for African violets is to give them bright, indirect light and to keep the soil moist but not soggy. With a little care, African violets can thrive indoors.
