African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Solutions

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African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) blooms in bright indirect light, moderate warmth, average humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnighly feeding in the growing season.

To keep African Violet thriving; keep it away from cold drafts, remove dead flowers and damaged leaves immediately, don't leave a stalk. Remove side shoots on older plans as soon as they develop to promote flowering.

Keep the African Violet moderately pot-bound to promote flowering. Use a plastic pot to reduce water loss as they like the soil to be consistently moist.

Saintpaulia ionantha are among the popular flowering plants on account of their ease of care and ability to flower almost any time of the year.

The compact size and beautiful blooms make African Violets some of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home, office and other ideal places.

Botanical name: Saintpaulia ionantha
Synonmy: Streptocarpus ionanthus
Family: Gesneriaceae
Common name: African Violet

Origin

African Violet (Streptocarpus ionanthus) is native to eastern and southwestern Tanzania in Africa.

Toxicity

Saintpaulia ionantha are non-toxic to both humans and pets as listed by American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They are safe to grow indoors.

Related Plants

African Violet care is similar to that of its close relatives Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa), Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus hybrida) and Flame Violet (Episcia cupreata).

Where to Buy

Would you like to add these plants to your collection? You may obtain magnificent African Violets online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

Saintpaulia ionantha Care Indoors

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 18-24⁰C, average humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, African Violet potting mix coupled with fortnighly feeding during the growing season.

Saintpaulia requires potting only when it has outgrown its current pot as it blooms best when pot-bound. Regular pruning is necessary to promote flowering and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

African Violet grows best in bright indirect light of about 10 hours per day. Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight as it can cause sunscorch marks on the leaves.

African Violets will also thrive under grow lights where natural light is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Regularly turn the pot to ensure that the plant gets adequate light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Watering

Water African Violet thoroughly and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to slightly dry out between waterings.

Decrease watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

African Violet is a tropical plant, therefore water it with water that is at room temperature to avoid shock as it can lead to reduced growth.

The African Violets are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water therefore use chlorine-free water only.

Avoid wetting the foliage and water from the bottom or use the immersion method. Wetting the foliage can lead to crown and stem rot disease.

Temperature and Humidity

African Violet prefers average warmth of 18-24⁰C. A temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature as they can cause wilting, pale-green leaves with long stalks and curled leaf edges.

African Violet has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. However, for lush growth and to reduce pest infestation, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Regularly clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush. Do not wash or mist the leaves as it can lead to crown and stem rot. Ensure that there is good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed African Violets every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer to promote flowering. Withhold feeding in the cold season growth is minimal at this time therefore, feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for African Violet should be free-draining and rich in organic matter. African Violet potting mix is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Keep African Violet pot-bound to promote flowering. Repot during the growing period only when the soil becomes compacted. Use a pot which is half as wide as the plant and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to rotting of the plant. Take a look at these self watering pots on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning African Violet involves removal of spent blooms and any side shoots to encourage development of more flowers. Get rid of dead leaves to keep the plant tidy.

Remove the bottom 2-4 leaves monthly to balance out the appearance and to encourage growth of new leaves. The leaves can be used to propagate new plants. You may cutback the plant at any time of the year to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings, seeds, offshoots or by plant division.

African Violet propagation from leaf cuttings

Take an African Violet leaf cutting with the petiole still attached.

Insert the leaf petiole in moist, free-draining soil and cover with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out.

New African Violet plants should develop at the base of the petiole in about 5-8 weeks.

Carefully seperate the new plants and transfer them into individual pots.

Position the set up in warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out.

Allow the new African Violet plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

African Violet propagation from seeds

Spread the African Violet seeds evenly on moist, free-draining soil and do not cover with any soil as the seeds are very tiny.

Cover the set up with a plastic sheet to create a greenhouse effect and place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place.

Maintain the soil moist through out by gently misting the soil surface.

Thinning of crowded seedlings can be done when the leaves are about 1/4 inch wide.

Transplant the new African Violet plants when the largest leaf is about 0.5 inch wide after which you can begin routine care.

African Violet propagation from offshoots

Carefully seperate the offshoot from the mother African Violet plant while ensuring it has enough roots.

Pot the offshoot in moist, free-draining soil and cover the set up with clear plastic to create a greenhouse effect.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new African Violet plant is well established.

Occasionally open the plastic cover to allow air circulation and to prevent water condensation.

Gradually remove the cover after 4 weeks to acclimatize the new African Violet plant to ordinary growing conditions.

African Violet propagation by plant division

Carefully divide a large African Violet plant into sections while ensuring each section has enough roots.

Pot these African Violet sections into individual pots in moist well-drained soil.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new African Violet is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Saintpaulia ionantha Problems

African Violet problems include lack of blooms, yellowing, rotting, mold, curled leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Pests

The common pests in African Violet are mealy bugs, fungus gnats and cyclamen mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it for the pests.

Moldy leaves and flowers

Moldy leaves and flowers in African Violet are an indication of botrytis or powdery mildew. Do not mist the plant as moisture on the foliage creates ideal conditions for these diseases. Cut off diseased parts and keep the affected plant warm while ensuring good air circulation.

No blooms (flowers)

There are six possible reasons why African Violet is not blooming. One possible reason for lack of blooms is insufficient light. Bright indirect light of about 12 hrs a day is necessary to coax the plant to bloom. It can also grow under grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.

The second possible reason why African Violet is not blooming is improper feeding. The plant needs to be fed with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering. Learn how to feed houseplants.

The third possible reason why African Violet is not blooming is very dry air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

The fourth possible reason why African Violet is not blooming is too frequent repotting. The plant blooms best when pot-bound; repot the plant only when its is extremely pot-bound.

The fifth possible reason why African Violet is not blooming is failure to remove the side shoots. The side shoots cause the plant to divert energy to developing the shoots rather than the flowers.

The sixth possible reason why African Violet is not blooming is very cold air. Keep the plant away from cold drafts as an average warmth of 18-24⁰C is necessary for optimum growth and flowering. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.

Yellow leaves

There are four possible reasons for yellow leaves in African Violet. One possible reason for yellow leaves is dry air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

The second possible reason for yellow leaves in African Violet is too much sunlight. Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight but provide it with bright indirect light.

The third possible reason for yellow leaves in African Violet is incorrect watering. Maintain the soil consistently moist in the growing season. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants correctly.

The fourth possible reason for yellow leaves in African Violet is overfeeding. Feed the plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer.

Limp leaves and rotten crown center

Limp leaves and a rotten crown center in African Violet is an indication of crown-rot disease due to overwatering and wide fluctuations in temperature. The disease is infectious and difficult to control. Remove and destroy the affected plant as soon as possible to prevent spread to other houseplants.

Straw-colored patches on leaves

Straw-colored patches on the leaves of African Violet are caused by too much direct sunlight. The leaf edges may also turn yellow and holes may develop on the leaves. Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight.

Pale-green leaves with long stalks and curled leaf edges

Pale green leaves with long stalks and curled leaf edges in African Violet are caused by too cold temperature. Maintain an average warmth for the plant and keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots in African Violet are caused by water droplets falling on the leaves during watering. Avoid wetting the leaves or water the plant from the bottom only.

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