If you’ve ever looked at an African violet ( Saintpaulia ionantha ) and wondered why its flowers pointing downwards, you’re not alone. The unique shape of the African violet’s flowers is due in part to the fact that they grow best in bright, indirect light—usually the kind of light you find in the morning.
African violets are native to Tanzania and Kenya, where they grow in the shady forest understory. In their natural habitat, they receive filtered light all day long. When they’re grown as houseplants, they need similar conditions.
While African violets will tolerate some direct sun, too much sun can cause the leaves to fade and the flowers to lose their color. The best way to give your African violet the bright, indirect light it needs is to place it near a east- or west-facing window.
African violets like morning light because it is softer and not as intense as the afternoon sun.
Do violets like morning sun?
African violets prefer bright, indirect light. This often is sourced in windows that face north or east. Windows that receive morning sunlight and less direct afternoon light are the best windows. Watch your violet to see how it reacts to the light.
African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. They can tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight early in the day or late in the day, but should be shielded from the harsh midday sun. Place your violets in a bright window with a western or southern exposure for best results.
What kind of light do African violets prefer
African violets need indirect sunlight in order to thrive. Direct sunlight can actually burn the leaves of these delicate plants. For best results, choose a north- or east- facing window. Additionally, be sure to keep the plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. You can also extend the amount of daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during the winter months.
African violets require bright light for best growth and flowering. Excessive light causes leaves to be pale or greenish-yellow. Some leaves may show dark green areas where they have been shaded by upper leaves. Growth slows when light is too high and plants become very compact.
Where is the best place to put an African violet?
African violets are best kept as indoor plants in North America, as their leaves need to stay dry. They should be grown in bright, indirect light for the best color and blooms, about 3 feet away from a west- or south-facing window.
It is important to water African violets carefully so that the crown of the plant does not become saturated with water. Water on the foliage may cause permanent leaf spotting, so it is important to mist the foliage instead of watering directly on the leaves. Use water that is room temperature to avoid shocking the plant.
How do I know if my African violet is getting too much light?
African Violets need plenty of sunlight, but only indirect sunlight to prevent scorching on the leaves and flowers. In some cases, too much sunlight will turn variegated leaf varieties entirely green.
African Violets need bright to moderate indirect or filtered light to thrive. They can grow in direct light, but only early in the morning and late in the afternoon. If you place your hand over an African Violet receiving sunlight and can feel the heat or its too warm, then the light is too intense for the African Violet.
How often should African violets be watered
A wicking system is a great way to make sure your African violets are never over watered. Simply set up a wicking system with a water reservoir and let the system do the rest!
The African Violet is a very delicate flower that needs to be taken care of carefully. 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 do you keep African violets blooming?
African violets need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. Too little sunlight will cause the plant to stretch for the light and produce few or no flowers. Too much sun can burn the leaves. An east-facing window is ideal, especially with a sheer curtain to block the sun’s harshest rays. African violets also need eight hours of darkness every night.
When watering African violets, the best guide 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 do I know if my African Violet is healthy
If your African violet’s blooms are spent, it’s a sign your plant needs some extra care. generally, healthy blooms indicate that your plant is thriving. The opposite is also true: damaged, limp, or wilted flowers often mean that your plant is distressed.
This can happen when the leaves are covered in alayer of dust or dirt. When the pores of the leaves are clogged, it can prevent the plant from getting the nutrients it needs from the air and sunlight.
How far should grow lights be from African violets?
Growing African violets under grow lights is a great way to get the best possible flowering and growth. The key is to set the bulbs at the right height above the plants, which will vary depending on the strength of the bulbs and the size of the plants. A good rule of thumb is to set the bulbs about 12″ to 15″ above the plants. Additionally, it’s important to use a timer to ensure that the plants get 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darkness each day.
If you want to keep your african violets healthy and vibrant, it’s best to avoid brushing their leaves. Repeated contact can actually degrade the quality and size of the plant over time. So the next time you’re tempted to reach out and touch one, think twice!
Conclusion
African violets like morning light because it is not as harsh as the midday sun. The morning sun also provides a good source of heat for the plants.
African violets like morning light because it is a gentle light that doesn’t cause them to wilt.
