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 often should African violets be watered?
Consider fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting is the solution if you lack bright window light. I make use of four-foot lights that each have two cool white bulbs. I’ve successfully used one warm white and one cool white bulb in a fixture. unique plant bulbs, known as “A beautiful plant is also produced under grow lights. 8 to 12 inches is the ideal distance between the pot and the light.
How frequently should African violets be watered? “The most frequently asked question regarding African violets is how frequently they should be watered. The greatest indicator is to touch the surface of the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. For best results, African violets should be given time to completely dry out in between waterings. An overwatered plant can die. A soggy, moist soil mass prevents air from penetrating the fine roots of an African violet, which they need. Half of your work is finished once you have learned the art of watering African violets.
Do African violets need to be watered from the top or bottom? Both are acceptable. It’s crucial to avoid using cold water; lukewarm or warm water is recommended. To prevent leaf spots, if you water from the top, take cautious not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun. If you water from the bottom, you should dump any extra water once the plant has absorbed all that it requires. An African violet shouldn’t be left submerged in water for too long.
Brown Spots on Leaves
African violets should never have brown stains on them. By generating root rot, overwatering damages the root system and isolates the plant from the supply of nutrients.
If you do not provide magnesium or nitrogen, the leaves of your African violets will become discolored with brown and yellow blotches.
Edema, which is caused by the plant taking too much water, can occasionally result from overwatering. The African violet’s leaf cells are harmed by drinking too much water.
If your African violet has edema, you will observe brown, wart-like areas close to the base of the leaves.
Remove any leaves that have brown blemishes. Sadly, once brown patches form on the leaves, they are permanently damaged. Your African Violet will be able to produce new, healthy leaves more quickly if you remove them.
Root Rot And Foul Smell From Soil
If the soil does not entirely dry out between waterings or if the drainage system is not working properly, the fungus that develops will rot the roots.
Before replanting the plant, remove it from the pot and clear away any rotting dirt. Examine the stems and roots after that. To guarantee that your plants have robust, healthy roots, remove any brown or mushy ones.
After cleaning out the contaminated regions, disinfect the remaining roots by soaking them in a fungicide solution.
Your African violet has to be repotted in a fresh, well-drained bed of potting soil. (New soil is preferred, although cleaning the current soil should be sufficient if Root Rot is mild.)
Time is running out for us! Acting quickly will increase your chances of preventing root rot because it spreads swiftly.
It’s a good idea to remove any leaves that have brown patches on them. Sadly, the leaves won’t be able to recover once they start to show brown stains.
Your African Violet will have an easier time growing new, healthy leaves if you remove them.
Crown Rot
Similar to how Root Rot is identified and handled, so is Crown Rot. Where the rot has taken hold is what distinguishes them most.
Any of the roots could develop root rot, which could cause either mild or major damage. A condition called “Crown Rot” attacks the system’s top-most roots.
To treat Crown Rot, complete the Root Rot treatment procedures and apply a fungicide to the root system. Be mindful that your plant could not survive if it has severe Crown Rot.
Mold Growing on Soil
Mold in the soil is a certain indication that your African violet is receiving too much water. The top soil layer will develop moldy white specks.
Your African violet won’t be in danger from this mold (or your family). However, it is still crucial to get rid of it right away.
The mold may be completely removed if you scrape off the top layer of soil. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with a dilution can also be used to eliminate the mold.
Use five parts water to one part hydrogen peroxide. Repotting is necessary if the mold grows below the surface of the soil.
Shriveled Appearance and Mushy Stems
You are overwatering your African violet if the stems are mushy or the plant has become shriveled. A vigorous, vibrant plant will have solid stems and appear powerful and robust. When you squeeze them, if the stem gives at all, there is a problem.
A fungal infection brought on by an excess of water is indicated by mushy stems. Another indication that your African violet has perished is a shriveled appearance. In both situations, cut off the infected parts, clean the plant, and let it air dry. (Referring to Iowa State University)
Wilting
Three things can be inferred from an African violet that has withered. You are either not watering enough, watering too much, or there are bugs in your garden. Which one it is will be determined by the soil.
You are overwatering your African violet if it has wilted and the soil is moist. The African Violets can’t acquire the oxygen they require since this drowns the roots. After making any necessary repairs, let your African violet dry thoroughly.
Look for pests if your soil does not seem overly damp or dry. African violets are frequently attacked by mealybugs and cyclamen mites. Cleaning your leaves is necessary to get rid of bugs. (Source: University of Clemson)
Spraying neem oil or insecticidal soap on your leaves will smother the bugs.
If you have rubbing alcohol lying around your home, you can use it to clean each leaf of your African violet to get rid of mealybugs or cyclamen mites.
Yellow Leaves
Another indication of moisture stress from overwatering is yellow leaves. Remove any yellow leaves from your African violet plant before assessing the health of the remaining leaves.
You will need to take damage control measures if your leaves are yellow because it’s likely that your roots have rotted.
Wrinkled Leaves
Wrinkled leaves are a sign that your roots have been seriously harmed by over watering. If there are wrinkles, water cannot reach the plant tissue from the roots.
Examine your ancestry. White and hefty roots indicate good health. If your roots are mushy and brown, they must be removed. The majority of your roots may have decayed if the leaves are wrinkled.
It is worthwhile to clean and repot your roots if they are still healthy. Sadly, it is time to try again with a different African Violet if the roots all appear brown and mushy.
Curled Leaves
Overwatering is indicated by curled leaves. However, it’s also a sign that your African Violet is under stress due to the water’s temperature.
Your African violet’s roots will become chilled if you water with cold water. The leaves begin to curl downward as a result. The best water to use is at room temperature because it lessens the possibility of any temperature shock.
Do African violets have a light limit?
In the worst circumstances, African Violets can really die from exposure to too much sunshine. Brown dots can be seen on the leaves. This symptom is known as Leaf Scorch, a type of necrosis, when it is brought on by excessive sunshine.
Are African violets sun-sensitive?
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.