The best soil for growing African violets is well-drained and somewhat acidic. Specially formulated Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix offers indoor plants like African violets the ideal growing conditions. African violet pots, which are tiny (4 to 5 inch) ceramic or plastic self-watering containers, are the finest option for growing African violets. These pots will give plants the right quantity of constant hydration they need to grow.
Are plastic containers preferred by African violets?
You want to plant some African violets in pots around your house because you are cultivating them. There are many various types of plant pots available, but which one is going to work best for your African violets?
I prefer pots with two layers since you can add water to the bottom of the plant without worrying about it becoming waterlogged. You can discard the remaining water until it is time to water the plant again once it has received enough to make the soil at the top of the plant moist. The flower will self-water itself if you leave a tiny bit of water at the base of the pot, which is a terrific tool to use when you have to travel and no one to water your plants.
You can select from a variety of materials, which include the following:
- Clay vases Although these are not the prettiest pots, their high porosity can help your African violets drain their water.
- Pliable pots
- The majority of these pots are well-draining pots that your African violets will adore, but especially the ones with saucer bottoms. Just be careful not to let the plant’s base become wet.
- Ceramic PotsThis kind of pot has two pieces, making watering simple. They are very vibrant, which can really enhance your growing area.
Can African violets grow in terracotta pots?
You’ve probably heard or even experienced stories of frustration if you’ve ever tried to raise African Violets or if you have friends who have. A reputation for being picky and delicate exists for African violets.
You might be turning your attention back to taking care of your indoor plants as the summer here in Iowa comes to an end. Even though the African violet blossoms in our garden center are currently looking especially magnificent, some people are hesitant to buy them because of their reputation. Many of us have purchased a plant that had lovely blossoms just to bring it home and have it stop blooming altogether. Actually, this is just a sign that you’re not aware with the peculiarities and preferences of that plant. Although African violets are unique, taking care of one is not very difficult.
However, they might not be the best houseplant for you if you prefer houseplants that thrive in a little neglect. Although they need a bit more care than other plants, we believe their stunning blossoms are worth the extra work.
If you’re up for the task, we’ve created a guide to assist you in maintaining the blooming of your prized African violets. If you follow these suggestions, yours should repay you with a lot of blossoms as we’ve documented their characteristics.
1. Watering them from the bottom is ideal African violet leaves will burn if water gets on them. Watering them from underneath is simpler than attempting to use caution when using a watering can. You can put water that is at room temperature in the saucer you keep underneath your pot. After an hour, remove the pot from the water and discard any extra liquid. Alternately, place the pot in a baking dish with approximately an inch of room temperature water, the bottom of your sink, or both. Do not shock them with cold water. Feel the soil before you water because African violets prefer to dry up between hydration sessions. Within half an inch of the soil surface, it should be dry to the touch.
2. The roots need oxygen around them. African violets require light, airy soil that allows them proper breathing. Sphagnum peat moss, which is distinct from conventional peat moss, which is often decayed down and would retain too much water, should be present in large quantities in the soil, along with perlite, to aid with drainage. Get a specific soil mixture for African violets; don’t muck around with it.
3. They prefer airy, small containers. African violets thrive on terra cotta because the porous material’s pores improve root ventilation and keep the soil from getting too damp. Avoid using a deep pot since African Violet roots prefer to grow diagonally and are not particularly deep. For you to water from underneath, your pot needs to have adequate drainage holes. African violet-specific pots with a terra cotta sleeve you plant in and a water reservoir are also available. Just keep in mind not to leave them submerged for longer than an hour.
4. They enjoy being somewhat rooted. African violets bloom best when plants are slightly but not excessively rootbound. The diameter of your container should ideally be roughly one-third the width of your violet’s leaf spread. Therefore, you’ll need roughly a 4 pot if your violet is 12 across. Only once a year or less, depending on how much they have grown, should they be repotted.
5. They prefer direct, bright light In the summer, an African violet does best in a north or east-facing window; in the winter, they might need to be placed closer to a south window. Make sure the plant’s leaves don’t touch the glass since this could cause the plant to absorb the cold from the environment. It is advisable to place a plant stand a few feet away from a window. To make sure your violet receives enough light during the winter, you might wish to utilize a grow light. If you use a grow lamp, place it between 12 and 15 inches above the plant and leave it on for roughly 14 hours each day. To continue blooming, they do require a minimum of 8 hours of darkness each day.
6. They should rotate. Turning your African violet once a week will ensure that all the leaves receive an equal amount of sunshine.
7. They require food. To remain flowering, African violets require regular feedings with fertilizer made specifically for them. In the spring and summer, every two weeks; in the fall and winter, every three weeks to once each month.
8. They prefer to be moderately warm They should be content if you maintain a temperature of 65 F at night and 70 F during the day.
African violets are unique, but getting them to grow well isn’t too difficult. Their lovely purple, pink, or white flowers and soft fuzzy leaves make the work worthwhile. You may create notifications on your mobile phone calendar for tasks like watering, fertilizing, and rotating to remind you when to do those things.
Did you aware that African violets may be multiplied from their leaves? Once your collection of African violets is flourishing, you can share your knowledge by giving them as gifts to friends.
What size pot should I use for African violets?
- African violet plants won’t reach their full potential if they are potted in either a tiny or large pot.
- Growth could be slower, leaves could be smaller, and blossoms or buds could not form.
- The African violet plant will still thrive, but its growth pattern will be irregular.
(a) African violet kind should be considered when selecting pot size.
- Finding out what kind of African Violet plant you have is one way to choose the right pot for it.
- The optimal pot side for an African violet plant is between one and two pots if it is little or mini.
- Miniatures have a six-inch maximum diameter.
- The best pot size for semi-miniature (semi-mini) African Violet plants is between two and 2.5 pots.
- Semi-miniatures can have a maximum 8-inch diameter.
- The recommended pot size for an African violet plant is between three and four pots whether it is a regular or large plant.
- The maximum diameter for standards is 12 across.
(a) Choosing a pot size based on the African violet plant’s diameter
- The size of the pot should be 1/3 the size of the African violet plant.
- Therefore, the diameter of your African violet plant should be three times that of your pot.
- Your African violet plant, for instance, should be in a 1-pot if its diameter is 3. Your African violet plant has to be in a 2 pot if its diameter is 6. Your African violet plant needs a 2-3 pot if its diameter is eight inches. If your African violet has a 9-inch diameter, put it in a 3-pot. Your African violet plant needs to be in a pot with a diameter of 4, otherwise.
- The diameter is calculated by tracing the line from one leaf’s outer edge across the crown to the leaf’s opposite outer edge.
(c) Choosing a pot size depends on the size of the roots of your African violet plant:
- The size of the pot you choose for your African violet plant should be similar to the length and/or width of the plant’s roots or rootball, as a final option.
- The container should be just large enough to accommodate all the roots in a neat fit.
- Just enough room should be left around the roots so that dirt may be added to fill the pot.
- The roots shouldn’t protrude from the pot’s top or emerge from the drainage hole at the bottom once the soil has been added.
- If this occurs, pot up, or plant the plant in a pot that is one size larger.
- African violet plants require container sizes that increase by one at a time.
- For instance, if your African violet is currently in a 3 pot, pot it up in a 4 pot the following time.
- In contrast, if your African violet plant has a smaller root system and it is potted in a larger pot, the soil will hold onto too much water and the plant will have too much soil relative to its roots.
- Long-term exposure to this can cause crown rot and root rot in plants that are planted deeply in soil.
- You will notice roots emerging from the top of the soil and through the drainage holes if your container is too small for your African Violet plants.
- The inadequate soil will cause the roots to become “rootbound and compacted.
- Rootbound refers to when roots fill up all the available space in the pot and begin to loop around the existing roots to produce a compact root ball.
- Your African violet plant may be deprived of hydration, nutrients, and air spaces as a result.
- The growth of the African violet will slow down, causing the older leaves to fall off or turn yellow/mushy, and the leaves to grow more slowly from the crown.
- This may result in a neck that is longer. To understand more about African Violet plants’ long necks, How Should I Bury and Re-Pot Bare Stems or Necks of an African Violet?
- The African Violet plant will stop blooming and developing buds, and the leaf stalks will also lengthen.
- Find out what size pot your African violet plant is currently in first.
- Select a pot that is 1 size larger than the one you already have.
- Remove your African violet’s existing pot with care. If the container is made of plastic, you can accomplish this by gently squeezing the sides to slightly dislodge the soil/roots.
- Then, tilt the pot, tap the base of the pot lightly with one hand, and carefully yank the plant out of the pot with the other hand while gripping the base of the stems.
- Do not remove the stems or force the plant out of the pot if it won’t do it on its own. The plant should easily come out of the pot if you gently squeeze the pot sides once more and tap the pot base a few times. This will loosen the dirt and roots.
- Examine the roots of the plant after removing it from the pot for any infestation or bugs. If everything appears to be in order, brush or shake off any old dirt.
- Avoid moving the root mass or the root ball.
- Place your African violet plant in the new pot after that.
- The plant should be placed in the pot such that the lip of the container is barely touched by the outer leaves.
- Crown rot might result from the plant sitting too deeply in the pot.
- Add a fresh layer of dirt to the pot to keep your African violet plant from growing too deeply inside it.
- This dirt will serve as the foundation for your African violet plant.
- Place your African violet plant in the pot after that; it should now be slightly above the rim and not too deep.
- Now that the roots and any empty spaces in the pot are covered, soil may be added to the container.
- The soil doesn’t require to be patted down. Don’t compact the dirt.
- Alternately, you might add coarse perlite to the pot’s base rather than dirt.
- The perlite layer at the bottom of your container can help your plant’s water drainage.
- The opposite will occur if the pot is too big for your African violet plant; the roots will become buried under all the extra soil.
- The plant will neglect to grow the top half of the plant (leaves/flowers) and instead concentrate on growing the bottom part of the plant as the roots continue to try to fill up the pot and expand (roots).
- Long-term, this will slow the growth of African violets above the soil, and they will flower more slowly.
- If the soil is constantly damp despite having adequate drainage at the bottom of the pot, it is another indication that the pot is too large.
- The African Violet roots will merely sit in the wet soil because there aren’t enough roots to absorb all this extra water, which can eventually cause root rot.
- First, gauge the size of the plant’s present pot for the African violet.
- Then choose a different pot by reducing the size by 1. Repot, for instance, in a pot that is 2 sizes smaller if your present pot size is 3.
- The size of the pot is measured in diameter, therefore 2 means 2 diameter of the pot.
- Typically, a pot’s base and top measure the same. It’s acceptable if they are separated by a mere half inch.
- the identical procedures as those outlined in the preceding section (potting into a large size pot).
- The potting procedure is consistent. For further advice on repotting African Violet plants, see the article How Often To Change African Violet Potting Soil Mix & Why?
- On occasion, you might decide to drill the holes yourself in the container you use to pot African violets within your home.
- When performing this, keep in mind:
- four-inch pots
- 4 to 6 holes, 1/4 to 1/8 in diameter
- 3.5-inch pots
- 3 to 4 holes (diameter: 1/4)
- 2-3 holes (1/8 diameter) in 2-inch pots
- 1/8-inch pots with one hole.
- Hole should always be present underneath a pot. African violets must be planted in containers with drainage holes.
- African violet cultivators prefer pots with a shallow depth and a wide length.
- African Violets would do well in containers akin to azalea pots.
- can use a pan pot to create space for African Violet trailers to spread out horizontally.
- Measure the length or spread of the trailer plant to determine the pot size.
- Next, pick a pot that is 1/3 the size of its spread. So pick a 4 pot if your spread is 12. Choose a 3 pot if it’s a 9, and a 2 pot if it’s a 6 spread.