Are African Violets - SmileySprouts

African violets are diminutive indoor plants that have fuzzy leaves and clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers. African violet care instructions are provided here!

About African Violets

African violets, as their name suggests, are indigenous to East Africa and come from the subtropical rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya. German colonial commander Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire recognized these plants in 1892 and returned to Germany with seeds. Saintpaulia became the name of the genus, although Streptocarpus, a new genus, has lately been assigned to the plants. They are not a species of violet, despite their common name, but they do have bright violet blossoms. Here is more information on these delicate plants.

In bright, indirect light, African violets flourish and produce the greatest blooms. Despite being typically easy to care for, they occasionally have fussy periods. Be not disheartened!

How to Plant African Violets

If the soil is well-draining, you can use an authentic African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil. How to make your own blend is shown here.
African violets should always be grown in small pots, and every few years they should be repotted with new soil. African violets blossom more when they are somewhat constrained by their pots, so don’t be hasty to give them more room.
The soil should have a high organic matter content and be loose and well-drained. discover organic soil amendments.
African violets should not be replanted deeper than they were previously and the plant’s crown should not be buried. If kept overly damp, the stems of African violets are prone to rotting.

Watering

Maintain a light moisture in the soil, but watch out for overwatering because African violets’ fragile stems are highly prone to rot.
Use room temperature water instead of chilly water because the leaves may become marked.
African violets should only be watered from the bottom to prevent getting too much water on the leaves, which can rot and develop fungal patches if kept in an environment with excessive humidity.

Lighting

Bright, indirect light is preferred by African violets. Keep them at least a few feet away from bright south or west-facing windows and stay out of direct sunshine. The greatest illumination for them comes from a window that faces east or north without endangering the delicate leaves.
Artificial illumination also functions nicely. Use LED or fluorescent lamps in addition to natural lighting.
Leggy stems and thin, dark green leaves suggest that the plant is receiving insufficient light, while light green or bleached leaves show that it is receiving too light.

Fertilizing

Use a high phosphorus plant food to fertilize every two weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer). Only begin fertilizing when it looks that the plant requires an extra push (slow, thin growth; pale or yellowing leaves).
Since most soil mixtures already contain an abundance of nutrients, overfertilizing is an issue that occurs more frequently than underfertilizing.

General Care

Some kinds are more tolerant of cooler circumstances, but many prefer warm environments (65F/18C or warmer). In any event, avoid having them near drafty windows during the winter.
As they get bigger, plants should be moved to bigger containers, although keeping African violets slightly root-bound might help them blossom. Wilted leaves are one indication that your violet needs to be replanted.
The squishy leaves have a propensity to gather dirt and dust. Use a little paintbrush with sensitive bristles to gently scrub them away.

Are African violets challenging to maintain?

The easiest blooming houseplant to cultivate and maintain is the African violet, which is also one of the easiest indoor plants overall to grow. Treating African violets as you would your child is a fundamental principle of care. Why does that matter? Don’t ignore them, and give them all they require in moderation when they ask for it. This holds true for feeding, watering, and the environment. They’ll tell you (or demonstrate) your job as a “A good parent will listen. Below are some fundamental instructions for caring for African violets. There is a lot more information on this website’s other pages. view our “learning pages and use the “other posts and to access our FAQ library “search options are on the right.

History and types of African violets:

A genus of plants in the Gesneriad family are known as African violets (also known as Saintpaulia). Many of the species, which Baron von St Paul discovered in 1892 and gave their botanical name to, are still alive and well in Tanzania and Kenya’s Eastern Arc Mountains. Despite living in a tropical environment, the majority of species are found on mountains, at high altitudes, and in plant cover. African violets are therefore perfect for interior home gardens or windows since they just need moderate (“room”) temperatures and light. Millions of its modern descendants are grown worldwide in the homes of collectors and enthusiasts, despite the fact that many of the native Saintpaulia are currently threatened by habitat destruction. Viewing our website and catalog will show you how stunning and distinct from the basic species first identified more than a century ago modern hybrid African violets may be. These sections contain a ton of information regarding their surroundings and care.

Make them big.

African violet cultivars that reach a diameter more than 8 when fully grown are considered standard. In reality, most people reach a height of 10 to 12. They can grow to be around 18 to 24 across when cultivated for exhibition. We exclusively cultivate the types that, in our opinion, have the best growing and flowering habits. These African violets are not your typical, everyday grocery flowers! Just their size is typical.

Tiny them up a bit African violets in miniature and semiminiature sizes are our specialty. When fully grown, miniatures and semiminis have a diameter of less than six and eight, respectively. The size of the real plant is typically significantly lower with good cultivation. The smallest of them may only measure 2 or 3 leaves from tip to tip! Never use a pot larger than 2 1/2 in diameter, and much less for the smallest types, as these are small-growing plants with small root systems.

Grow these uncommon and unique plants.

For “Chimera” kinds of violets, leaf cuttings will not result in plantlets that are identical to the parent plant. These are often “pinwheel flowered varieties” with wide, multicolored side and center stripes. These can only be reproduced by suckers, are genetically more rare, and are highly odd. Leaf chimeras are cultivars with leaves that can only be propagated by suckers. Leaf chimera variation is extremely uncommon and is unaffected by alterations in temperature, habitat, or age. The same maintenance is required as for other African violets. There are chimeric African violets in both small and regular sizes.

Let them develop. The easiest African violets to grow and blossom, especially for beginners, are those that trail. They are naturally expanding, branching plants that are free to pursue their own interests. No need to eliminate suckers in order to maintain symmetry or promote blooming. These violets grow additional crowns at will, without degrading their beauty or bloom. In fact, this raises the likelihood of flowering! You have the option to spread them out in little pots or hang them as baskets in windows.

‘Native’ grow them. All contemporary hybrids can be traced back to the Saintpaulia species of African violets. In east Africa, many are still growing on the sides of hills. Some species are only found in the collections of collectors since the majority are endangered.

The basics of African violet care:

Light. For healthy growth and blossom, there must be enough light. Be sure to offer bright but not direct sunlight. Place a two-tube fluorescent fixture 12–18 inches above plants if you’re growing things under artificial lighting, and leave it on for 12–13 hours each day. Provide more light if the foliage seems healthy and expanding but there are no blossoms. Light may be too bright if there are lots of blossoms but pale or stiff foliage.
Watering. Water should be at room temperature. when the soil feels dry, water “Touchably dry Water can be poured from the top. Only if the water’s temperature is significantly lower than the leaf temperature can water on the leaves cause them harm. If you employ “Use plenty of perlite or another element that is rather non-absorbent when using violet pots or another self-watering approach!
Feeding. The ideal formula is “balanced” (relatively equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). In formulas, look for similarity among the three integers on the label (NPK). Avoid “flower enhancers Use the fertilizer as directed with every irrigation.
Atmosphere. Like you, African violets prefer temperate temperatures and humidity. They also feel at ease if you do. Violets like temperatures between 65 and 75 °F, but they may endure temperatures well outside of this range.
Soil. Utilize a bog-based, “a soilless mixture with at least 30 to 50 percent coarse perlite and/or vermiculite. Brand-name “African violets don’t necessarily do well in violet soils. As a general rule, the soil should contain more perlite the wetter you maintain it. Avoid soils that appear overly thick, dark, or rich, or that really contain topsoil! There is no need for additives like manure or dense compost.
Grooming. Do not allow extra crowns (suckers), with the exception of trailers. Single-crowned plants should be grown for African violets. With little more than five rows of leaves, most African violets look their finest. An excessive amount of older, lower leaves are not necessary and will not encourage blooming because flowers only develop from fresh growth.
Potting. Every 6 to 12 months, repot all of your plants. When mature, the majority of common African violets cultivated as houseplants will need a 4-5 pot. Use a pot with a diameter of no more than 2 1/2 for minis and semiminis. The size of the root ball dictates the size of the pot. Because they have rather shallow roots, African violets, pick “pots of the azalea variety that are slightly shallower than they are wide.
Pests. Many of the same pests that affect other plants can also harm African violets. The best medicine is always prevention. Never bring outside-grown plants inside because you’ll also be inviting unwelcome guests! To find symptoms and treatments, use this website’s search function and FAQ area. You may significantly lower the risk of pests or other issues by giving your African violets a healthy atmosphere, taking good care of them, and maintaining a clean growth space.

Good African violet care is a dynamic process, just like good parenting—they depend on you!

How should an African violet be cared for?

African violets prefer sunny, warm, and humid environments to grow. Avoid letting water touch the leaves as it may cause brown stains. As soon as you notice any dead foliage or blossoms, remove them to promote a stronger plant. Check the soil and plant frequently to make sure there isn’t a buildup of dead leaves. This will promote decay. It truly comes down to striking a balance when it comes to cultivating these indoor plants; you have to make sure that all of the various aspects are balanced against one another. They should be maintained in wet enough conditions to prevent drying out, while also remaining open to a cool breeze to prevent them from becoming overly stuffy and protected from direct sunshine without injuring their leaf tips. If your African violets sustain any harm, don’t give up. Everything is a step in the process.

Soil

The potting mix must be well-drained. Make sure the plant is never exposed to standing water for an extended amount of time since poor drainage can lead to root rot, which causes the plant to get soggy and lose its leaves.

Water

Aim for high humidity and keep the soil moist with warm water. A little misting of water is the only contact that should be made with the leaves to avoid damage. When watering, water from below or force the water spout into the ground. Keep the plant out of water at all times.

Where should an African violet be placed?

Because they require dry leaves, African violets are only grown indoors in North America. If you want the finest color and flowers, grow your plants in bright, indirect light. The optimal location for a plant stand is three feet away from a window that faces west or south. When placed directly next to north or east-facing windows, plants will still grow, but their leaves will be thin and spindly, and they will be less likely to flower. African violets can be grown indoors, 12 to 15 inches above the ground, under 40-watt fluorescent lights (also known as grow lights), if you don’t have a nice location near a window.

Can pets be poisoned by African violets?

By the way, the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants page states that African violets are non-toxic to curious cats, dogs, and horses. This knowledge ought to bring some solace to the worried parents of intrepid cats who enjoy the taste of this attractive houseplant.

Do African violets enjoy being handled?

The velvety, fuzzy leaves and delicate, colorful blossoms of African violets are loved, but many people also want to touch the leaves and petals. Researchers in Oklahoma wanted to see how this attention affected the plants. Throughout the trial, plants underwent five brushing treatments. The findings “indicate that repetitive brushing diminishes plant size and quality of African violets, especially when done with a bare palm that has been lotioned.”

African violets have a tumultuous history. They are a favorite among home gardeners and growers due to their beautiful, vibrant flowers and hairy, silky leaves. The striking plants, however, are frequently thought of as temperamental since they require a specific combination of sunshine, moisture, warm temperatures, high humidity, and fertilizer in order to flourish.

Scientists Julia C. Brotton and Janet C. Cole from Oklahoma State University’s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture recently published a study that could offer lovers of african violets crucial care advice for the temperamental flower.

People are drawn to african violets and frequently desire to touch the leaves and blossoms due to its brilliantly colored flowers and hairy leaves. But how are the plants affected by all this attention? The goal of the study was to find out how “brushing” african violet leaves affected the quality and growth of the plants. Cole said, “Many farmers of (african violets) utilize body lotions to relax and moisturize their dry skin because they work in environments that can lead to the development of dry, irritated skin. These goods are used by plenty of users. In particular, we looked into whether handling or “brushing” african violet leaves after applying body lotion or other skin care items to the hands could harm the plants.”

This was the first published study of the effects of plant response to tactile mechanical stress, or “thigmomorphogenesis,” on african violets. Previous studies have examined the effect of various methods of mechanical conditioning, including brushing, on the growth and quality of vegetable and bedding plants.

During the study, plants of the Saint Paulia ionantha (Saintpaulia ionantha) cultivars “Michigan” and “Gisela” were subjected to five brushing treatments: no brushing, brushing for 30 seconds with a latex-gloved hand, brushing for 90 seconds with a latex-gloved hand, brushing for 30 seconds after applying lotion to a nongloved hand, and brushing for 90

Plants were gathered after five weeks. Plants were graded on a scale of 1 to 5 (no damage—death/near dead) at harvest. Compared to plants that were brushed by a non-gloved hand that had been applied lotion, plants that were brushed by a gloved hand had lower damage ratings, larger leaf areas, and more leaves. The cultivars responded differently, with “Michigan” showing greater brush damage than “Gisela.”

Cole summarized the findings and said “According to the study, repeated brushing of african violet plants decreases their size and quality, especially when done with bare hands that have lotion on them. African violet leaves shouldn’t be brushed because persistent brushing can reduce plant quality and size.”

Keep your hands off the gorgeous african violet in your kitchen window the next time you’re tempted to do so for the sake of the plant’s health.

Story Origin:

The American Society for Horticultural Science provided the materials. There may be length and style edits to the content.

Journal citation

African violet plants lose quality and size when brushed with a hand covered in body lotion or while wearing a latex glove, according to research by Julia C. Brotton and Janet C. Cole. 613-616. HortTechnology, 2009. [abstract]