Typically, African violet leaves only last for about a year. The older leaves typically deteriorate and turn yellow before dying and falling off, making place for new growth. It’s time to look at a few possible causes if more leaves than just the lowest ones are beginning to turn yellow. African violet leaves becoming yellow may occur for a variety of causes, including cultural maintenance, illumination, or illness.
water problems
Inadequate hydration is one of the most typical causes of yellow African violet leaves. The foliage will respond by developing yellow or bleached, necrotic areas or ring spots because the leaves cannot withstand water being applied directly to them.
The cells within the leaf collapse and the leaf turns discolored when the water is warmer or colder than the leaf. The leaf cannot be cured, but you can stop further harm by watering underneath the leaves. For African violets with longer stems to reach the soil surface beneath the foliage, there are even specialized watering cans available. Utilizing water that is at normal temperature will also help to reduce damage.
LightingWhile African violet plants don’t do well in direct sunlight or intense heat, they do require light for energy production and flower formation. Southeast or west windows are the ideal locations. For optimal light, place the plant 3 feet (91 cm) away from the window.
Plants that are cultivated longer indoors or in an office with artificial illumination will develop yellow margins. This indicates that the plant isn’t receiving enough light. If you move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light, the leaves will grow back.
Fertilizing
Another reason why African violet leaves become yellow is a lack of sustenance. The state of the plant suggests that it would require further feeding in order to grow glossy, dark-green leaves. Use an African violet food that has been diluted in accordance with the instructions.
Once a month during the growing season, fertilize. Four times a year, drench the soil to eliminate extra salts to prevent overfertilizing.
Should you remove the African violets’ yellow leaves?
The fluffy leaves of African violets are one of my favorite aspects of the plant. These leaves, though, can be a little finicky. When African violets are exposed to water, their leaves may develop yellow patches.
Although the African violets are unaffected by this discolouration, you should still avoid wetting the leaves. Crown rot can result from keeping moisture on the plant’s top. If you keep water away from the leaves of your plant, it will look nicer and be less vulnerable to injury.
How to Avoid Getting Water on Leaves When Watering
So, when watering, how do you avoid getting water on the African violet leaves? Because African violet pots are often small, it might be challenging to keep the leaves from getting wet.
Use a watering can with a long, slender spout as one way to be able to direct the water precisely where you want it and keep it off the foliage.
African violets should be watered from the bottom; this is my preferred solution. Fill a tray or other container with water until it is about an inch deep. After that, submerge your African violet for 20 minutes to let the plant absorb water. Take the plant out of the water after 20 minutes. Every few months, you’ll still need to water the top of the soil to assist flush out any salt that has accumulated there. This approach appeals to me more because it makes it simpler for me to guarantee that I’m providing my African violets enough water.
Use Room-Temperature Water for African Violets
You should avoid applying water to your African violets that is either hot or extremely cold in addition to keeping water off the leaves. The abrupt temperature change may damage the leaf cells, leading to the emergence of yellow patches.
Water straight from the faucet should be alright, but if it’s much warmer or colder than room temperature, wait a little while before watering your African violet.
How can you get rid of African violets’ yellow leaves?
Yellowing leaves can frequently be treated organically. We suggest changing:
- Watering techniques
- Position of the Plant
- Perhaps altering the soil would fix all potential problems.
Water Fixes
There are specialized watering containers with long, slender spouts for African violets. They enable you to water close to the earth, just below the leaves.
You might be able to get rid of the yellow leaves by using one of these watering cans filled with room temperature water.
You can also try putting the pot in a saucer with pebbles and a little water if you live in a low-humidity area. By employing this method, roots should be able to draw water up from the saucer and keep the leaves dry.
To stop gnats from spreading, the water needs to be changed every few days.
NOTE: Steer clear of the chemical-laden water from taps and chlorinators. When you water your African violets, use purified water or rainwater.
Lighting Changes
Try transferring your African Violet to a window that faces the southeast or the west if it’s currently in an office or a dimly lit area. The kind of direct sunshine that African Violets need should be present there.
To ensure that the plant receives the most light possible through the glass, place the plant’s pot about 3 inches away from the windowpane.
Pests Problems
Eliminate any fading leaves. Neem oil solution should be sprayed on your African violet once per week until the pests are gone. Make sure the spray reaches the stems and the undersides of the leaves. Until all the bugs are eliminated, keep the plant away from your other plants as you cure the pests.
Fertilizer and Soil Solutions
Use an African violet-specific fertilizer and apply it no more frequently than once a month during the growing season. To get rid of too much salt buildup, you might wish to soak the soil three to four times a year.
You should also repot your African violet if you’ve had it for longer than two years. Fresh soil can be all that’s required to prevent yellow leaves because soil nutrients don’t persist forever.
It is significant to remember that African Violets dislike common potting soil. Most garden supply stores carry sphagnum peat moss, which is what they prefer.
You can pinch off the yellow leaves that have already begun to sprout. This ought to promote fresh, wholesome growth.
If these fixes don’t help your yellowing leaves, there might be something more serious going on. You might need to use non-organic techniques like fungicides or insecticides in certain situations.
Use these suggestions, and your African violet will soon have lush, velvety green leaves.
How frequently do African violets need to be watered?
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.