African violets need
indirect sunlight
, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
How much sunlight do African violets need?
Violets require
2 to 4 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight
. If they don’t receive enough light, they will not bloom. They will look like a healthy plant with dark green leaves but no flowers. Too much direct sun will give the appearance of reddish yellow leaves and spindly flowers.
How often should African violets be watered?
Your African violet houseplant takes up water through the bottom of the first pot, which prevents over-watering. Keep an eye on the bottom piece and refill as your plant depletes the water (
usually every two to three weeks
).
Can African violets handle direct sunlight?
African violets need bright light to bloom, but
cannot tolerate hot, direct sun
because their leaves are easily scorched by intense light. Violets bloom best at temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees.
Can African violets get too much light?
African violets that are exposed to too much sunlight
will develop pale yellow-green leaves
and can take on a scorched appearance. You also may see bleached-out, burned or dead areas on the leaves.
How do I know if my African violet is getting too much light?
In some cases, too much sunlight will turn variegated leaf varieties entirely green. In the most severe cases, too much sunlight can actually be fatal to African Violets.
Leaves have brown spots on them
. When this symptom is caused by too much sunlight, it is called Leaf Scorch, a form of necrosis.
Do African violets like to be misted?
Most houseplants–except for fuzzy-leaved ones like African violets–like
regular misting
. Misters found at the nursery are generally best to use, because they can be adjusted according to the mist requirements of each plant. Some plants want a very fine mist while others like to be more wet.
Should you deadhead African violets?
If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure
to pinch or deadhead spent blooms
. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
Are coffee grounds 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.
How long do African violets live?
Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last
up to 50 years
,” says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
Should I water African violets from the top or bottom?
Either is fine
. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
What happens if African violet leaves get wet?
The soil for African Violets should be kept moist. When watering an African Violet one can water from either the top of the bottom but use water that is room temperature. When watering from the top be careful not to get the leaves wet, getting the leaves wet can
cause spots or rings to appear on the plant’s leaves
.
How do I know when my African violets need water?
Knowing when to water your African Violet is pretty straightforward. Take your finger and lightly push down into the soil.
If the mix feels bone dry, it’s time to water
. If the mix feels moist, let your African Violet sit and check back in a few days.
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.
How big can 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.
Do African violets need a lot of water?
In general, African Violets
need just enough water to keep the soil moist
, but never soggy. Too much waterwill leave your African Violets susceptible to such deadly pathogens as Pythium, Root Rot and Crown Rot.
