African violets can be tricky to grow and get to bloom. Try these watering, repotting and fertilizer tips for African violet care.
Some people find growing African violets to be a piece of cake. Their violets thrive with little special care, blooming repeatedly and creating fresh new fuzzy leaves on a regular basis. Others struggle, never seeing a bloom, moaning over spotted leaves, and eventually wind up chucking their plants in the trash. If you’re in the first group, you don’t need these tips. If you’re in the second group, try these troubleshooting tips for African violet care.
- Common name: African violet
- Scientific name: Saintpaulia ionantha
- Light needs: Bright, indirect light
- Watering needs: Water the soil, never the leaves, or bottom water
- Soil: Moist well-draining soil
Check out the top 10 blooming houseplants to grow indoors.
African Violets Not Blooming
“I have three African violets but only one of them blooms. How can I get the other two to produce?” Peggy Hinds of Louisville, Kentucky.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Although African violets are popular flowering gift plants that are fairly easy to care for, I encounter many gardeners with the same situation as yours. Your plants appear to be receiving the same amount of light, water, humidity and fertilizer, so we will rule these out as the cause.
If they are different cultivars of African violets, that could explain the difference. Some varieties are more prolific and frequent-bloomers than others. Recent transplanting into a larger container can also delay flowering until the roots have a chance to fill the pot, which helps to encourage flowering. Lastly, it’s often just an individual plant’s response to the growing condition—in that case, you’ll just have to wait for the others to bloom.”
African Violet Only Growing Leaves, Not Flowers
“I’ve had this violet for almost three years. The foliage is healthy, but it does not bloom. Can you explain why, and advise on how to get it to bloom?” asks reader Barb Baird of Monroe, Michigan.
Melinda says, “Encourage your African violet to bloom with a bit of adjustment to its growing location and care. These plants prefer a warm draft-free location with bright indirect light. Try growing your violet in an east-facing window in the summer and moving, if needed, to a south or west-facing window in winter. If you have limited light, try growing under artificial lights. Water thoroughly with lukewarm water, often enough to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy wet.
Fertilize with an African violet or flowering houseplant fertilizer when the plant is actively growing. Most growers find fertilizing weekly with a dilute solution—one-fourth the monthly recommended rate—works well.
Boost the humidity around the plant by growing it with other plants or placing it on a gravel tray. Create a gravel tray by placing a layer of stones in a saucer and setting the pot on them. Keep water in the stones but below the pot. As the water evaporates it increases the humidity around the plant.
Don’t be overanxious to repot your plant. African violets prefer and tend to bloom better when pot bound. If this doesn’t stimulate flowers, it may be the variety. Some African violets do not readily rebloom, so it’s not your fault.”
African Violets Need Bright Indirect Light
African violets are native to rainforests in the mountains of eastern African countries like Tanzania. They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation. In their native environments, direct light never touches their leaves. Your African violets will do best in an environment that mimics this.
Provide bright light, but never direct sun. In a sunny window, use a sheer curtain to protect the plant from direct sun. If your plant isn’t flowering, chances are it’s not getting enough light. Experiment with different settings to find the best light exposure (bright artificial light can be effective, too).
Watering African Violets
In the wild, African violets grow in humid environments. They like potting soil that’s consistently moist but never soggy. If your home is dry, try filling a shallow dish with stones and set the pot on top. Fill the dish with water that will provide humidity as it evaporates. Never let the roots sit in water, though, or they’re likely to rot.
Many people prefer to use room temperature water, since cold water can shock the plant. If you water African violets from the top, use a narrow-spout watering can to get the water directly to the soil. Water that sits on leaves can cause spots. Allow the water to drain through, and get rid of any excess. Setting the pot in the sink first is the easiest way.
Temperature
Make note of the climate in your home. African violets need temperatures of at least 60 degrees, and dislike sudden temperature changes and drafts.
Repotting and Fertilizer Needs
Once you’ve figured out the right light and watering schedule for your plant, don’t mess with success! Consider re-potting once a year if the plant has outgrown its pot, but remember they flower best when roots are pot-bound. The same goes for fertilizing. Do not overfeed your plant. Follow the directions on a quality fertilizer made for African violets. Liquid fertilizers usually don’t need to be used more than once a month. Other regular maintenance includes gently removing dead leaves and flowers, and keeping an eye out for indoor plant bugs.
African Violet Propagation
Once you’ve mastered growing an African violet successfully, you’ll notice your plant is producing “suckers”. These are baby plants growing out from the main stem, and are one way that African violets propagate. To maintain the health of your plant, remove these suckers when you notice them. You can discard them, or re-pot them to make more African violet plants for your friends!
