How to grow and care for African Violets. Tips on how to water, feed and keep them healthy and beautiful.

About African Violets

There are about 21 species and many cultivars of this fast-growing, low and mounding plant with colorful flowers that come in a variety of colors in clusters of single, semi-double, double and sometimes ruffled or fringed flowers.

Cultivation Requirements: Filtered light–bright Northern exposure is ideal. Rich, acidic, well-draining soil. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize every 2 months.

African Violet Overview

Genus Name	Saintpaulia ionantha
Common Name	African Violet
Plant Type	Houseplant
Light	Part Sun
Height	2 to 6 inches
Width	4 to 16 inches
Flower Color	Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White
Foliage Color	Blue/Green
Season Features	Fall Bloom, Reblooming, Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom, Winter Bloom
Special Features	Low Maintenance
Propagation	Leaf Cuttings

Of all indoor flowering plants, African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are some of the most stunning. The flowers come in a wide variety of colors, including pink, purple, white, cranberry, blue and variegated forms. Flowers are single, semi-double or double and can be scalloped, ruffled or fringed. The plant’s leaves are oval-shaped and slightly fuzzy.

Origin African Violets

East Africa African violets are surprisingly easy to grow indoors. Follow these instructions, and you can have blooms throughout the year in your indoor garden.

Lighting African Violets

African violets prefer bright indirect light for 10 to 12 hours a day. They will bud up when placed in an unobstructed northern window. They also grow well under full-spectrum lighting. African violets also require 8 hours of darkness a day to flower well.

Watering African Violets

Keep African violets moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out, as that will inhibit flowering. Water with warm to tepid water from the bottom. If you water from the top, avoid wetting foliage. African violets also do well in wick watering systems.

Video on how to create a wick watering system: Watch on Youtube

Fertilizing African Violets

Feed monthly with an organic fertilizer designed for African violets.

Repotting African Violets

Repot standard-sized African violets every 6 months and miniature African violets every 3 months. Use a rich, well-draining potting soil that retains moisture.

Humidity African Violets

African violets prefer 50 to 60 percent humidity. If you live in a dry climate, place African violets on humidity trays. You can also raise humidity by grouping plants, which will humidify each other.

Temperature African Violets

African violets prefer temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees F.

Pruning African Violets

Prune African violets when the plant becomes unbalanced. Pinch out older leaves to create a pleasing circular pattern.

Propagating African Violets

African violets are easy to propagate from leaf cuttings. You simply pinch off the leaf and insert the leaf stem into water. The leaf will grow roots and eventually tiny leaves will emerge, at which point you can plant the cutting in soil.