Do African Violets Grow Big?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do African violets grow big? African violets are typically classified by size, based on how wide they grow: Miniature: less than 8 inches across. Standard: 8–16 inches across.

Large: more than 16 inches across

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How big does African violets get?

Plant sizes, depending upon variety, are classed as

miniature (6 to 8 inches or less in diameter); semi-miniature (6 to 8 inches); standard (8 to 16 inches); and large (over 16 inches)

. Several hundres varieties of African violet exist.

How big can violet plants get?

Once mature, they run from

8 inches around up to nearly 24 inches

(large standard). Semiminiature violets reach a diameter of less than 8 inches.

How long do African violets grow?

What is the biggest African violet?

They sit there and thumb their noses at you and say, ‘I dare you to grow me,’ ” said Progebin, a Plantation resident. When she lived in New Jersey years ago, she grew the largest African violet on record: a whopping

37 inches across

and bearing more than 350 open flowers.

Where is the best place to put an African violet?

Place African violets in

a location that receives bright, indirect light

. A site near an east or north window is often a good location. (Do not place African violets in direct sun.) If a suitable window isn’t available, place African violets under a fluorescent light fixture containing two 40-watt fluorescent tubes.

How often should you water an African violet?

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made with this type of plant, so it is essential to be cautious. Generally, African violets need to be watered about

once a week

, although this may vary depending on the climate and the potting mix.

How often does African violets bloom?

African violets can bloom nearly year-round. If you are able to provide the correct conditions, expect your African violets to bloom

10-12 months each year

. Each bloom lasts for about 2-3 weeks.

Do African violets bloom all year?


They’re known to bloom continuously, even throughout the darker months of winter

. Place them throughout the house to enjoy their colors and velvety texture throughout the year. Once you get in a regular routine of taking care of African violets, you’ll find they grow very easily.

How long do violets last?

Individual blooms can last anywhere from

a few days to a few weeks

. Varieties producing thicker petals and those with green in the bloom tend to last longer. Blooms will last longer under moderate to high humidity with cooler temperatures (say 60-75f degrees).

What is the secret to growing African violets?

African violets prefer bright, indirect light.

Avoid direct sunlight and keep them at least a few feet away from bright south- or west-facing windows

. An east- or north-facing window gives them the best lighting without the risk of burning their sensitive foliage. Artificial lighting works well, too.

When should I repot my African violet?

Many successful growers of African Violets recommend repotting with fresh potting soil, twice a year or more. At the very least, an African Violet should be repotted

whenever the plant becomes rootbound

, i.e., the Violet has outgrown its current pot to the extent that its roots are growing out and around the rootball.

Should you cut dead flowers off African Violet?

What are the best pots for African violets?

For best results, plant African violets in African violet pots, which are

small (4- to 5-inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers

. Growing plants in these pots will provide the proper amount of continuous moisture to the plants.

Are African violets difficult to grow?

African violets are

among the easiest of all houseplants to grow

and are probably the easiest flowering houseplant to care for. A basic rule in African violet care is this: treat them as you would your child.

What is the easiest African violet to grow?


Trailing African violets

are perhaps the easiest to grow and bloom, especially for the novice. They are naturally branching, spreading, plants that can left to do their ‘own thing’. No need to remove suckers to keep symmetry or encourage blooming.

Is Miracle Grow good for African violets?

Promote more blooms (versus unfed plants) on your houseplants with Miracle-Gro® Blooming Houseplant Food.

The formula instantly feeds all blooming houseplants, including African violets

.

Can I put my African violet outside?

The short answer: Don’t count on it.

In most cases, African violets cannot survive outdoors

. Although they’re fairly hardy plants, you need to get their conditions just right. And since African violets hail from the rainforests of Tanzania, your backyard probably isn’t up to the challenge.

What do violets symbolize?

Is coffee grounds good for African violets?

Are coffee grounds good for African violets? Coffee grounds are slightly acidic and contain nitrogen, which helps plants grow healthy foliage.

Occasionally sprinkling used coffee grounds on top of your African violet potting soil can be good for the plant

. Don’t go overboard, though.

Can I water African violets with tap water?


In most locations, tap water will be fine, but the quality of tap water can vary

. Chlorine levels may fluctuate, depending on the season. In some areas, tap water may have high amounts of chlorine, chloramines, or dissolved solids. All these things may adversely affect your African violets.

Can you water African violets with ice cubes?

Can I use ice cubes to water African violets?

No, only use room temperature water to avoid damaging your plants

. While ice cubes slowly melt and add moisture to the soil, the cold water makes your violets more susceptible to discoloration.

Are there male and female African violets?

African Violets can have single coloured petals or multi-coloured petals, which are called sports.

They also have completely separate male and female plants

. “Female plants have a lighter colour down the middle of the leaf,” says Ricky.

Are eggshells good for African violets?


Yes, coffee grounds are a great homemade fertilizer for African Violets

. Make a mixture of dried coffee grounds and dried egg shells, then work the coffee ground mixture into the top of the soil. Replenish every couple of months.

Do violets close at night?

Many violet species are responsive to light and weather.

At night, in cloudy or rainy weather, the flowers will close and turn toward the ground

.

Are self watering pots good for African violets?


Self-watering pots can also work well for African Violet plants

. I would recommend using self-watering pots for well rooted plants.

What is the best temperature for African violets?

African violets are well adapted to indoor environments. They prefer a temperature

between 65°F and 80°F

with about 80% humidity. It is important to avoid temperature and humidity fluctuations, including sudden drafts.

How much light does a African violet need?

A fluorescent light fixture suspended 8 to 10 inches above plants and left on for

12 to 16 hours per day

should provide sufficient light for African violets.

Do African violets bloom continuously?

Can you split an African violet?

There are several methods of African violet propagation, from cuttings to division.

The plants often develop multiple crowns, which can be split apart

and used to propagate new plants. Division propagation creates mature African violet plants faster than other methods.

Why is my African violet getting leggy?

When African Violets get leggy, it usually means

they’re not receiving enough light

. Though these plants can’t tolerate full sun, they do like to receive lots of indirect illumination. Try moving your leggy plant closer to the window or into a room that gets more light exposure.

Can African violet grow in shade?

Why are the leaves on my African violet curling?

African Violet Leaf Curl Caused by Cold

Let water warm to room temperature.

Being too cold for too long will cause the leaves to turn brittle and curl under

. Other symptoms of cold stress include center leaves that are tightly bunched together, stunted growth, and extra fur on the leaves.

How do you take care of an African violet indoors?

Why do African violets get long necks?

Necks on African violets are

a natural part of growth

. As leaf age and are removed, the stalk becomes exposed. It’s ugly and vulnerable to breaking if the plant tumbles. It isn’t advisable to bury the neck deeper in a bigger pot, since it is vulnerable to rotting which may spread up into the crown.

What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?

In fact, many houseplant potting mixes contain no soil at all. You may want some fertilizer included in the mix to help feed your plants.

A premium African Violet mix contains additional ingredients such earthworm castings, compost, or composted/aged bark

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Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.