African violets, with their delicate petals and vibrant colors, add a touch of elegance and charm to any indoor space. However, to ensure these beauties thrive and bloom year-round, proper care and attention are essential. In this guide, we’ll delve into the art of African violet care, covering everything from planting to troubleshooting common issues.
African Violet History
The regal violet petals were first discovered in 1892 in the East African country of Tanzania. Tanzania is already famous for its natural wonders, including the tallest mountain on the African continent, Mt. Kilimanjaro. An explorer named Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire named the flower’s genus, Saintpaulia, after himself. The plant grew in popularity all over the world and has since sprouted many variations with decades of advancements in botany. You can now dictate the color, number of blossoms, leaf shape, height, among other things when selecting your seeds. Standard African violets grow 8-12 inches in height, whereas the new mini variety remains at a humble 4 inches.
Cut African Violet Flower Care
While African violets are typically grown for their foliage rather than their flowers, it’s essential to understand how to care for them when they do bloom. When cutting African violet flowers for arrangements, always use sharp, clean scissors to avoid damaging the plant. Trim stems at a 45-degree angle and immediately place them in a vase filled with lukewarm water. Change the water every day and occasionally add flower food to the water to extend the lifespan as long as possible.
Outdoor African Violet Care
Best Time to Plant
African violets can bloom all year long when placed in moderate to humid temperatures. Aim to plant in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild in most regions. Avoid planting them during extreme heat or cold, as this can stress the plants in their new spot. Remove dead excess leaves to encourage new growth as they settle in.
Where to Plant (Sunlight Needs)
African violets love bright, indirect sunlight, making them ideal for indoor environments. Many green thumbs opt for a fluorescent plant light positioned about 12-15 inches above the leaves. Place them near east or north-facing windows where they can receive bright, filtered light without being exposed to direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate leaves. Also, if the leaves appear light green, it may be getting too much sun, but if they are dark green and thin, your African violet isn’t receiving enough sunlight. Adjust accordingly and don’t worry—some damage is common in gardening and it’s all a part of the process!
Watering Needs
African violets originate from the humid climate of Eastern Africa, so it’s important to try and mimic the warm, moist conditions it thrives in. However, overwatering is still a risk and can cause root rot when left too soggy. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically every 7-10 days. Snag your favorite adorable pot from your local nursery, but make sure it has a hole in the bottom for proper drainage. Always use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plants, and water directly onto the soil to prevent getting moisture on the leaves.
Common Problems with African Violets
Pests & Insects
African violets are relatively pest and disease-resistant, but they can occasionally fall victim to common issues such as aphids, spider mites, mealy bugs, cyclamen mites, and powdery mildew. Keep an eye out for signs of pests or disease, such as yellowing leaves, sticky residue, or fuzzy white growth. Treat infected plants swiftly with neem oil or an insecticide by spraying on the leaves as directed by the manufacturer.
Avoiding Root Rot
Plant enthusiasts of all backgrounds occasionally battle root rot. It’s a very common problem in gardening. It’s essentially when water isn’t draining properly, thus accumulating around the base of the plants and rotting the roots. Soft roots is the obvious tell, but there are many other symptoms to watch out for. For instance, yellow, mushy, or wilting leaves may also be a sign of ineffective drainage. Lucky, the solution to root rot is quite simple: let the soil completely dry out at least 2 inches deep before watering again. Snake plants are also very susceptible to root rot, but caring for spider plants is simple when you have all the facts!
Leaf Spotting
As we mentioned, African violets grow fuzzy leaves that hate being watered directly. If too much moisture accumulates on the leaves, spots may appear. Prune back the dead leaves and begin watering with a self-watering pot or take care to water directly on the soil.
Plant Never Blooms
If you’re well into the warmer months and there’s no sign of flowers, the light, temperature, and humidity are probably uneven. Find a more suited spot with bright, indirect light. If your space doesn’t have that, invest in florescentent lighting 12-15 inches above the plant. Try to maintain a room temperature of 70 degrees and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Stick to these environmental factors and your African violet should be blooming in no time!
Complementary Plants
African violets pair well with other low-light houseplants such as spider plants, ferns, and peace lilies. Their care requirements are all similar, so you can incorporate one routine for all your plants. Consider a fiddle leaf fig as a lush, tall plant to balance the flower’s short stature. Caring for African violets will add a colorful touch to any plant collection.
Growing African Violets in Containers
Growing African violets in containers allows for greater control over soil conditions and placement within your home. Choose a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for African violets’ slightly acidic soil preference and choose a container with drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. Terra cotta pots are an excellent choice for their porous nature, and their natural material and style is timeless as decor.
Compatible Types of Containers
When selecting containers for African violets, consider both aesthetics and functionality. Planter boxes, window planters, and clay pots are all suitable options that provide adequate drainage and airflow to the roots. Choose a container that complements your decor while meeting the plant’s specific needs.
Different Varieties of African Violets
African violets boast a wide range of varieties, each with its unique characteristics and colors. From miniature violets to trailing varieties and variegated foliage, there’s a perfect African violet for every taste and space.
- ‘Amethyst’ has pale purple rosettes surrounded by heart-shaped dark green leaves with a unique quilted texture.
- ‘Cherry Princess’ dawns semi-double to double fuschia and white blooms.
- ‘Diamond Tiffany’ is a more neutral option with white and light green ruffled petals that blend into the foliage.
- ‘Little Maya’ has crimson red petals which are perfectly complementary to its dark green leaves.
- ‘Hawaiian Pearl’ blooms a semi-double, star-shaped flower that ruffles at the end with lavender edges and a white center.
- ‘First Kiss Blush’ grows a perfect pink petal with flecks of purple, like it’s blushing!
- ‘Music Box Dancer’ is mostly fuschia with faded white edges, and are known for their wide-growing medium green leaves.
- ‘Peacock’ has dark royal purple flowers with dark green, low foliage. Their star-shaped petals are larger than standard varieties.
Additional Tips & Tricks
- To encourage continuous blooming, pinch off spent flowers and dead leaves regularly.
- Maintain moderate humidity levels around African violets by placing them on a pebble tray filled with water or using a humidifier.
- Fertilize African violets monthly during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated for flowering houseplants.
- Repot African violets every 12-18 months to refresh the soil and
Fun Facts About African Violets
- They’re not real violets per say, they’re namesake comes from their likeness to the true violet plant, Violaceae.
- These purple beauties have long been associated with motherhood, and make a popular Mother’s Day gift.
- Finding African violets in the wilds of Tanzania is quite rare now, as collectors have over harvested and habitat suffers from deforestation.
- Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire, the commissioner for Germany who first officially discovered the flower, sent seeds back to his father, Ulrich, who successfully planted them in Europe.
- They can live up to 50 years!
- African violets are great houseplants for families as they are non-toxic to people and animals.
- Each leaf has small hairs that create a fuzzy texture, which doubles as a way from the plant to absorb water from the air.
Start your own African violet garden or send a gorgeous, delicate gift to loved ones by exploring plants for delivery today. Spring is an excellent time to watch new life bloom!
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