African violets are lovely, delicate plants that can brighten any room. While they are relatively easy to care for, there are some important things to keep in mind to ensure your plant thrives. Here are the basics of how to properly take care of an African violet.
To properly take care of African violets, water them regularly with lukewarm water and fertilize them with a specially formulated African violet fertilizer. Place them in a location with bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry out between watering.
How often do you water an African violet?
If you are looking to save time and water your African violets more efficiently, then you should consider setting up a wicking system. With this system, you will only need to water your plants once a week, and they will be able to completely dry out between waterings. This is a great way to avoid over-watering, which can be a common problem with African violets.
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.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom
African violets are delicate plants that require special care. When watering African violets, it is important to use lukewarm or warm water, as cold water can damage the plant. Watering from the top or bottom is fine, but be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun, as this can cause leaf spots.
African violets are beautiful plants that do best with 10+ hours of bright, filtered light. They should never be given direct sun, as this can scorch them. The soil should be kept moist but well drained; you want moist, not soggy. With proper care, these lovely plants will thrive and bring you enjoyment for many years to come.
Should I mist my African violet?
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. Water on the foliage may cause permanent leaf spotting. Use water that is room temperature and mist the foliage, being careful not to wet the crown.
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 in some areas tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All of these things can adversely affect your African violets.
Should you touch African violet leaves?
Brushing the leaves of african violets is not recommended. Repeated brushing can decrease plant quality and size.
African violets are best when they are slightly pot-bound, so it’s important to choose a pot that’s on the smaller side. A professional tip is to choose a pot that’s 3-4 inches in diameter for a standard African violet plant.
How do I keep my African violet blooming
Houseplants need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. Too little sunlight will cause them to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers, while too much sun can burn their 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.
Your African violets will need to be repotted every 2-3 years, depending on how often they are blooming. If you notice that your violets are not blooming as often as they used to, it is probably time to repot them. Repotting will give them the fresh start they need to start blooming again.
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.
It is best to let your African violet’s water sit for 24-48 hours before giving it to your plant. This will help ensure that the water is at room temperature, which is optimal for your plant. If you can’t let the water sit for that long, then at least let it stand for an hour.
How often should African violets be fed
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.
If you’re growing African violets, it’s important to be mindful of their sensitivity to cold water. When watering, be sure to let the tap water sit overnight so that it has a chance to warm up. This will also allow any chlorine to evaporate. African violets also do best in a light, porous potting mix.
Are African violets hard to keep alive?
Keep the potting soil moist, but not soggy. Allow the top of the soil to dry out in between waterings.
African violets need bright, indirect light. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
The ideal temperature for African violets is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
When replanting African violets, be sure to use a pot that has drainage holes.
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 too wet and avoid potential problems with rot or fungal diseases.
Conclusion
To properly take care of an African violet, water the plant around once a week, using lukewarm water. Be sure to water the soil, not the leaves. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Fertilize the plant every two to four weeks using a water-soluble fertilizer. Place the African violet in a spot where it will receive indirect sunlight.
In order to properly take care of African violets, it is important to water them regularly, make sure they get plenty of sunlight, and fertilize them regularly. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your African violets will stay healthy and thrive.
