Your African violets may be wilting for a variety of reasons including too much water, not enough light, or too much heat. If you suspect that too much water is the problem, check the soil to see if it is damp before watering. If the soil is dry, give your plant a good drink. Allow the water to drain completely before putting the plant back in its pot. If too little light is the problem, move your plant to a brighter location. If it is too hot, try moving it to a cooler spot.
The most common reasons for wilting African violets are lack of water and too much heat. Lack of water can cause the leaves to turn brown and wilt, while too much heat can cause the leaves to turn yellow and wilt. African violets need to be kept in a location that is warm (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit) and has high humidity (60-70%). If the leaves of your African violet are wilting, check the location where it is growing and make sure it is getting enough water and not too much heat.
How do you treat wilting African violets?
If your African violet has burnt or dry leaf tips, it’s likely dehydrated. Try placing your plant on a humidity tray to boost the moisture in the air. If your African violet has drooping leaves, it may be suffering from low temperatures. Keep your indoor environment around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night.
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.
How often should you water an African violet
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. Simply water the plant once a week and allow the plant to completely dry between waterings. The wicking system will take care of the rest!
Excessively dry or overly wet soil can result in African violet limp leaves. When the potting soil for African violets is too dry, the leaves wilt because they aren’t getting enough water, but African violet leaves also wilt when the soil is too wet. The roots need air as well as water, and soggy soil drowns roots.
What does drooping violets mean?
Watering is at the root of all African violet drooping leaves’ problem. For instance, when the potting soil is too dry, the leaves will droop because they aren’t getting enough moisture. On the other hand, the plant will also droop when the soil is too wet.
It is important to water African violets carefully so that the leaves do not get spotty and the plant does not get crown rot. Use room temperature water and mist the foliage rather than watering from the top.
What is the proper way to water African violets?
It is important to keep the soil moist to encourage blooming, but it is also important to allow the soil around the roots to dry out before watering. This will encourage the plant to absorb the water.
The best guide for watering your African violet is to feel the top of the soil. If it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant. The fine roots of an African violet need air, which cannot penetrate a soggy wet soil mass.
How long should African violets sit in water
Your African violet is finicky about its water. Make sure the water is either tepid or at room temperature before giving it to your plant. 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.
As noted, African violets need indirect sunlight; too much direct sunlight can damage or even kill the plant. A north- or east-facing window is ideal, as it will provide bright but not too harsh light. It’s also important to keep plants away from cold glass, as this can cause stress. Finally, rotate the pot once a week so all leaves have a chance to receive light. During winter months, you may need to supplement natural light with a grow light to help your plants thrive.
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.
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 be harmful to these delicate plants, so it is best to avoid them if possible.
Do African violets need bigger pots
When choosing a pot for your African violet, it’s best to go with a smaller size. African violets do best when they are slightly pot-bound, so a pot that’s on the smaller side will be perfect. Professional Tip: If you have a standard African violet plant, your starter pot should be about 3-4 inches in diameter.
African violets need plenty of sunlight, but only indirect sunlight. If they 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.
How do I know if my African violet has root rot?
If you see that your African Violet is toppling over at the base, it is likely that the roots are decayed. You may also see yellow or yellowish-brown stripes on the roots, which is another indication that they are not healthy. If the roots are in bad shape, it is likely that the rest of the plant will not be far behind.
To ensure your African violets get enough light, suspend a fluorescent light fixture 8 to 10 inches above the plants and leave it on for 12 to 16 hours per day.
Final Words
There are many potential reasons as to why an African violet may be wilting. Some possible reasons could include: too little or too much water, not enough light, or the plant could be pot bound (i.e. the roots are constricted and need to be transplanted into a larger pot).
There are a number of reasons why your African violets might be wilting. It could be due to too much or too little water, too much or too little light, or even a lack of nutrients. If you’re not sure what the problem is, it’s best to consult with a plant expert to get to the bottom of it.
