how to water african violets

“How often to water African violets?” is perhaps the most pondered African violet dilemma. The best guide is to feel the top of the soil: if it is dry to the touch, then it is time to water. African violets should be allowed to dry out between each watering for best results. Overwatering can kill a plant.

1. How much water do African violets need?
2. How do you water and feed African violets?
3. Do African violets need direct sunlight?
4. How much sun and water does an African violet need?
5. Do African violets like to be misted?
6. Do you deadhead African violets?
7. How long do African violets live?
8. Do African violets need to be watered from the bottom?
9. How do you keep African violets alive?
10. Is coffee grounds good for African violets?
11. Can African violets grow in low light?
12. Can African violets go outside?
13. How do you pinch back African violets?
14. Why are my African violet leaves growing straight up?
15. Are LED lights good for African violets?
16. How do I get my African violet to flower?
17. How big can an African violet get?
18. Why are the bottom leaves of my African violet drooping?
19. What do you do with overgrown African violets?
20. What kills African violets?
21. Can an African violet be revived?
22. What is the difference between African violet potting soil and regular potting soil?

How much water do African violets need?

One easy way to water an African violet is to place the pot in a container with no more than an inch (2.5 cm.) of water. Remove it from the water after about 20 minutes, or until the potting mix is moist. Never let the pot stand in water, which is a surefire way to invite rot.

How do you water and feed African violets?

A month after planting, begin feeding your African violets with Miracle-Gro® Blooming Houseplant Food for more and brighter blooms (vs. unfed plants). Add two pumps of plant food to the water reservoir of a self-watering pot each week when you change the water.

Do African violets need 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.

How much sun and water does an African violet need?

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.

Do African violets like to be misted?

African violets tolerate average indoor HUMIDITY; 40-60% is best. If your house is very dry, mist your violets lightly with room temperature water on a daily basis, but never late in the day or at night. ... Wash leaves occasionally with slightly warm water, blotting dry.

Do you deadhead African violets?

Deadhead African violets to encourage more blooms. African violets make useful flowering houseplants since they can bloom for up to nine months per year. They do need the other three months off as a rest period.

How long do African violets live?

African violets can live a long time, as long as 50 years! To get them there, you need to provide good care which includes repotting African violets.

Do African violets need to be watered from the 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.

How do you keep African violets alive?

How to Care for African Violets

1. Keep the soil lightly moist and use room-temperature water.
2. Leaves are susceptible to rot if kept in high humidity, so water African violets from the bottom to avoid getting excess water on the leaves.
3. Dust dirt off the leaves with a small, soft brush.

Is coffee grounds good for African violets?

Is 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.

Can African violets grow in low light?

When they get ample indirect light, African violets grow well, stay healthy and produce abundant flowers. In too little light, they will have few or no flowers and will have leaves that become darker green and thin with long, weak stems. African violets are easily grown under artificial lights.

Can African violets go outside?

African violets are tropical plants from East Africa. That's why they make good indoor plants. They would never survive outdoors in most U.S. climates as a normal violet would. You can buy these plants almost anywhere, including grocery stores and garden centers.

How do you pinch back African violets?

Using your forefinger and thumb to pinch off the leaf or flower is one way of pruning African violets. You can also use sterilized scissors. Remove plant material as close to the base as possible without cutting into the main stem.

Why are my African violet leaves growing straight up?

Why Do African Violet Leaves Curl or Reach Upwards? African Violet leaves curl or reach upwards when the light they receive is too low. The stems start growing longer in size and growing upwards as if they are reaching for the light. The leaves no longer grow flat as they usually should, but grow upwards too.

Are LED lights good for African violets?

LED Lights Compared To Fluorescent Lights:

LEDs do not generate heat as compared to fluorescent lights, so they can be kept closer to your violets and no risk of burning them.

How do I get my African violet to flower?

African violets need light to grow and produce flowers. The key is to get bright light in the morning or afternoon without excessive heat or intense sun. Signs of inadequate light include stretched leaf stems and small adult leaves. Too much light can cause the foliage to appear dull or bleached.

How big can an African violet get?

Standard African violet plants when fully mature range from 8-16 inches (20-40cm) in diameter across a single crown. The flowers on these plants can grow to 2 inches (5cm) across the petals and a single leaf blade can grow to 3 inches (7.5cm) in length.

Why are the bottom leaves of my African violet drooping?

There may be a couple of reasons why your plant is wilting. It could be that the plant is too dry and needs water. On the other hand, wilting African violet leaves may also be a sign of overwatering. This can occur when the plant is watered too much, especially if the plant is in a plastic pot.

What do you do with overgrown African violets?

A similar method of repotting can be done for long necked African violet plants that have up to an inch (2.5 cm.) of bare stem. Remove the plant from the pot and cut off any dead or damaged bottom foliage. Then, with a knife, gently scrape away the top layer of the bare stem, exposing the inner cambium layer.

What kills African violets?

Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or Dicamba, and it will selectively kill the violets without damaging the grass. Another great wild violet herbicide is called Drive (quinclorac).

Can an African violet be revived?

Growing an African violet in a pot that has bottom drainage holes and contains a soil mix that allows both air and water to reach the plant's roots without becoming soggy goes a long way toward preventing rot and extending the plant's life. An overwatered African violet, however, can be restored to good health.

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

Commercial African violet mixes are generally more porous and have better drainage than house-plant potting mixes. African violet mixes also are slightly more acid than regular house-plant potting soil. Many growers use soilless mixes. They do not contain natural soil from outdoors.