The quick response is: Don’t depend on it.
African violets typically cannot survive outside. Despite being very hardy plants, you need to create the ideal environment for them. African violets are native to Tanzanian rainforests, therefore your backyard is probably not up to the task. The unpredictability of outside surroundings makes it impossible to offer the ideal conditions these plants require to flourish.
However, the fine print contains a lot of ambiguity. Some gardeners claim that some areas have more hospitable climates; others insist that African violets thrive best when grown outside only occasionally; and many say categorically “NO” to the topic in its whole.
Let’s examine what you need know about cultivating African violets outside.
Can African violets in pots be planted outside?
Even the most seasoned gardener can be intimidated by African violets for some reason.
Stephen Orr, editor of House & Garden magazine, provided some advice on The Saturday Early Show about how to keep exotic flowers alive for a very long period.
The African violet is a resilient small plant that frequently thrives and lives comfortably for decades. It is also reasonably priced, makes a wonderful present, and is durable.
Stephen Orr was questioned by the Saturday Early Show about how to care for African violets and some frequent misconceptions about the plant:
African violets are said to be challenging to grow. Is that a fact, though?
They are not difficult to cultivate, no. They are actually challenging to kill. Making them content enough to blossom again frequently is the secret.
How many different varieties of African violets are currently available? There are hundreds of different types, and every year, new ones are developed. Standard (variegated, ruffled, etc.), Miniature, Trailing, and Chimeras are a few of the various varieties (with unique color patterns and combinations).
Do African violets resemble common violets? Not at all, no. Tropical plants native to East Africa include African violets. They therefore make suitable indoor plants. In most American climes, they could never thrive outdoors the way a typical violet might.
Almost anywhere, including grocery stores and garden centers, sells these plants. Where can I get African violets the easiest? Yes, they are generally available, but make sure they appear wholesome and well-kept. Lyndon Lyon Greenhouses is a reliable mail-order company that has been specializing in African violets for 50 years.
What interior conditions are necessary for African violets? Simply put, they require both some humidity in the air and strong, filtered sunshine. Any prolonged period of time below 60 degrees F will inhibit their growth. If the temperature is too high, plants will become spindly and sappy, produce an insufficient number of blooms, and drop before maturing. A little coolness is preferable than extreme heat. Best range for humidity is between 40% and 60%. Using a humidifier is an excellent idea if your home is unusually dry. Putting your plants on trays filled with wet stones would be a straightforward fix.
Can you use a grow light if there isn’t enough natural light? Use fluorescent lights continuously if there is poor natural light in your space. You can use cool white, daylight, or tubes made specifically for plant growth alone or in combination. The plant’s variety, light intensity, and tube type all influence how far it should be from the lights. Adjustable light fixtures allow you to raise or lower them to the desired height.
How frequently should an African violet be watered? Depending on the season and how dry your home is, water just when the top of the soil feels just a little bit dry to the touch and every week or so.
Which method of watering is best for them? One of the main causes of African violet failure is improper watering. Use only water that is room temperature. You can water from the top or the bottom. After the earth has absorbed all the water it can contain, never let plants stand in water. Pour out any remaining water in the saucer after 15 to 20 minutes. Wet feet are not good for violets!
When should an African violet be repotted? What is your method? Before switching to the next size pot, a reasonable rule of thumb is that the plant’s diameter should be three times that of the pot. They should be repotted in the same manner as any other plant, however you shouldn’t mix up the pot sizes. Plants should not be jumped from a 2-foot pot into a 4-foot pot. They enjoy being somewhat pot-bound.
What sort of soil is required? They need soil that drains well. If not, they develop root rot.
Do these plants need to be fertilized? One of the causes of the absence of blossoms, the small size of the blooms, and the pale or light-green foliage is the lack of fertilizer or occasional fertilization. Every time you water, use a well-balanced fertilizer, such as 15-30-15, at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Do not assume that just because they are blooming well with a little fertilizer, more will make them much better! Inadequate fertilizer can scorch the roots and result in brittle, harsh leaves.
What is the most common error individuals make when growing African violets? Since plants prefer moisture and humidity, most people overwater their plants. In their native East African region, the plants frequently flourish next to rivers in rocky nooks. They enjoy this kind of muggy, humid, but well-draining environment.
What is the lifespan of an African violet? Given the right care and repotting, they can live for many years.
Here is a summary of Orr’s advice on strengthening African violets:
Light: In harsh western or eastern exposures, sheer curtains should be used since strong, filtered light or intense shadow produces the highest bloom. Artificial grow lights work great with the plants as well.
When watering, use tepid, never cold water. You can water from the top or the bottom. The plant will rot if the pot is left in water for too long. After 15 or 20 minutes, drain any extra water that the plant hasn’t absorbed.
An African violet will suffer in any temperature below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant thrives best at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not draft. By setting the plants on moist stones, you may create humidity for the plants. A bright window in the kitchen or bathroom can work well because African violets prefer humid environments.
African violets, when grown properly, can bloom all year. Every time you irrigate, use a balanced fertilizer diluted to one-quarter teaspoon per gallon of water.
Repot: They enjoy being somewhat root-bound. They develop naturally in rocky locations that have little pockets of dirt nearby. Repotting should be done when the plant’s width is three times the pot’s diameter. Take out any dead flowers and foliage.
How hot can African violets tolerate?
Even though many violets can withstand temperatures as high as 80 degrees or more, they thrive in environments where day and nighttime temperatures don’t differ by more than five degrees. African Violets will suffer if it becomes too hot. 85°F or more is the ambient temperature.
Can African violets withstand direct sunlight?
The vibrant African violet blossoms are particularly lovely. They’ll provide color right away to any space.
Even during the gloomier winter months, they have a reputation for continuing to bloom. Place them around the house so you may enjoy their vibrant hues and plush textures all year long.
Once you establish a routine for caring for African violets, you’ll discover that they expand with ease. But unless all of their fundamental requirements are satisfied, they won’t develop. Give them the proper temperature, light, and nourishment, and you’ll start to bloom right away!
How to Choose and Take Care of African Violets:
1. Start out strong. Select a plant with the desired blossom color and vivid emerald foliage. Make sure the pot has openings for drainage.
2. The ideal lighting. African violets frequently don’t blossom because they don’t receive enough light. Because direct sunlight can burn the leaves, African violets require indirect light. For optimal results, pick a window that faces north or east. Keep plants away from cold glass, and turn the container once every week to ensure that all the leaves get enough light. African violets can be grown under a grow lamp to extend the day throughout the winter.
3. Remain cozy. The most comfortable temperatures for most people are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
4. Subsurface water. Water should be at normal temperature to fill the saucer. Pour off any extra water after letting it settle for about an hour. Between waterings, let the plant dry out completely.
5. Use the new liquid Violet from Espoma to fertilize! Every two to four weeks in the spring, summer, and fall, indoor houseplant food.
6. Be thoughtful before replanting. Only when a plant is root-bound will an African violet bloom. Use organic potting soil designed exclusively for African violets, such as Espoma’s African Violet Mix, when it comes time to repot your plants. Choose a pot that is about a third the diameter of their leaf spread in diameter because they flower best in compact pots.
How are violets maintained during the summer?
This summer, I want to take a two-month trip, and I’m wondering what would keep my violets alive for so long. They won’t receive any attention while I’m gone.
There might be a better solution, but this is what we would do. We’ve done it in the past with some of our collection out of need ” (before it became a business and we paid for “babysitters). Your violets should first be replanted, with the exception of the center and perhaps the first row of leaves. Eliminate all flowers and buds. Since you won’t be around to perform any grooming, the goal is to avoid leaving any plant parts (such as leaves or blooms) that will need to be clipped or removed while you’re away.
Additionally, while you’re away, you need to prevent the soil from drying out. Wick-watering the plants is one option; just make sure there is enough water in the reservoir to last until you return. Another choice is to put the plants in a clear, covered container, like a plastic bottle “garment box. The plants should remain moist for a considerable amount of time because this avoids evaporation. Make sure the container has adequate space inside it for the plants to flourish. With miniatures or very young plants, this works fantastically. To prevent anything from rotting, make sure plants are well-kept and debudded.
Maintain the plants in their typical, well-lit growth location. Put your lights on timers so that they will come on and go off at regular intervals. Since natural light cannot be controlled while you are away, avoid leaving them in windows. Your violets ought to thrive if everything goes as planned. You might even return home to a dazzling display of color after your plants were repotted and debudded!
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.
How frequently should African violets be watered from the bottom?
Although they are often simple to care for, African violets need some effort to grow.
How frequently to water African violets is one of the most crucial considerations while caring for plants.
One of the most frequent mistakes made with this kind of plant is overwatering, therefore caution is necessary.
African violets typically require watering once a week, though this can change depending on the environment and potting mix.
In contrast, you might only need to water them every other week if you reside in a cooler environment.
Put your finger in the potting mix to get an idea of how frequently to water your African violets.
How Often To Water African Violets Indoors
The first factor affecting how frequently you need to water the plants is your home’s temperature and humidity.
You might have to water your African violets more frequently if your house is extremely warm or dry.
Second, the kind of potting mix you use can have an impact on how frequently you need water.
African violet potting mixtures are frequently drier, so they might not require as much watering.
On the other hand, potting mixtures created for different kinds of plants could require more frequent watering.
To make sure the plant needs water before watering, like with all plants, it is best to examine the potting mix.
African violets should generally be watered when the potting soil feels dry to the touch.
How Often To Water African Violets Outdoors
There are a few considerations if you are growing African violets outside.
The climate and weather will decide how much water they require.
You might need to water them more frequently if you live in a region with high humidity.
You might need to water them less frequently if you reside in a low-humidity environment.
After giving them a good drink, let the soil totally dry out before giving them another drink.
Checking the soil is the best approach to figure out how frequently to water your African violets.
African violets should be watered in the morning so that the leaves have time to dry before dusk. This will aid in the prevention of fungus illnesses.
The following general instructions are for watering African violets outside:
- If you reside somewhere with a lot of humidity, give your plants a good watering every 5-7 days.
- Water your plants every 3 to 5 days if you reside in a dry area.
- Water your plants every two to three days if you reside in a hot area.
- You should water your plants every 7 to 10 days if you reside in a chilly area.
Depending on the climate where you live, your particular plants can require more or less watering.
How Often Should You Water African Violets From the Bottom
The more conventional approach of watering from the top is fine for African violets.
The benefit of watering from the bottom is that the water may get to the roots directly, promoting strong development.
Additionally, it lessens the risk of fungal illnesses by keeping the leaves dry and preventing waterlogging.
Put your African violet plants in a saucer or tray with water and water them from the bottom.
Once every week, or whenever the top inch of soil is dry, the bottom should be watered.
The more conventional approach, watering from the top, is fine for African violets.
The biggest benefit of watering plants from the top is that it is simpler to determine whether they are receiving enough water.
Start by watering your African violet plant once a week and increase as necessary if you’re unclear of how much water it requires.
Use a watering can or cup to pour water onto the soil until it is uniformly wet to water from the top.
Feel free to experiment and find which works best for you and your African violets as each watering technique has benefits.
The most crucial thing is to monitor the soil’s moisture and make adjustments as necessary.
Once a week, or when the top inch of soil feels dry, water your African violets.