How to Grow African Violets

African violets are a must in any indoor garden, as they bloom year-round in the right growing conditions. These beautiful houseplants are available in over 16,000 named varieties!

Their blooms come in soft pinks, lavender, blue-violet, and pure white, and some types have ruffled blooms or double petals in different colors.

The plants can be from small (15 centimeters in diameter) to more than 40 centimeters in diameter. With the myriad of types available, they are a fun and inexpensive way to decorate any window sill and add to your indoor plant collection.

Here's what you should know about growing African violets.

How do I care for an African violet plant?

Native to East Africa, these plants grow under a forest canopy deep in nature, so they don't like direct sunlight. African violets prefer temperatures of around 65 to 80 degrees and a humidity of around 30 to 50 percent, which is roughly what is comfortable for most people as well.

Keep them a foot or two away from a bright east or south-facing window, or use a sheer curtain to filter the light.

LED or fluorescent lights are also a good option if you don't have the right natural lighting conditions. Keep the lights on for 6-12 hours a day and pay attention: in natural or artificial light, your plant will tell you what it needs. If the leaf stems are long and leggy, you will need a brighter light. If the leaves are fading, the light is too intense.

Also, use the proper soil mix if you are transplanting. African violets have thin roots that do not like to compact. Look for a peat-based potting mix with 50 percent perlite. Or make your own by combining one-part potting mix with one-part coarse pearlite.

How do I water my African Violet?

The easiest way to kill your plant is to overwater it, so don't water until the pot feels light when you pick it up or if the surface feels slightly dry to the touch. You can water from above by pouring room temperature water into the pan (but not the leaves to prevent rotting!).

You want to take a good long sip so the water runs down the bottom of the pot into a saucer; wait half an hour and then pour the excess water into the saucer.

Also good for bottom water by filling a saucer with room temperature water and letting the violet sit in it for 30 minutes. Or use a special pot that allows the plant to drink what it needs.

The smooth leaves of many types of African violets serve a purpose.

The nap, or the direction in which the hair is tilted, helps the rainwater run off and not to the center or crown of the plant, where excess moisture can cause disease.

They also help provide insulation for changes in air temperature. Also, most chewing pests don't bother African violets because they don't like the fuzzy texture. If your violet leaves turn dusty or build up, blow gently or use a soft brush or lint roller to remove the debris.

African violets are not toxic to pets.

According to the ASPCA, they are not toxic to pets, so they are a good option if you have chews. However, any plant can cause gastrointestinal upset if a pet ingests enough, so keep any houseplant out of the reach of your furry baby.

How do I start a new African violet plant?

There are a few ways to propagate a new African violet, but the easiest is the water method. First, gently remove a healthy leaf, pushing it from side to side until it comes loose.

Then make an angle cut of the stem an inch or two from the leaf blade. Place it in a bowl of water so that the stem is submerged but the leaf is upright. Cover the container with aluminum foil and poke a hole for the rod to pass through. Use bottled water if your water is softened.

Change the water regularly and watch the roots, which should appear in about a month. Put in a potting mix, water and place in a clear place. After a few months, you should have some seedlings clustered around it!

Enjoy This Video Tutorial About African Violet 

Source: Espoma Organic

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