African Violets flourish
with proper care

By Jaye Wright
Florida Today HELP! columnist

Feb. 16, 2002

Can you please tell me how to care for my African violets? I have no idea how to look after them?

African violets are low, compact plants with attractive dark green, thick, hairy leaves. Plants kept in good condition flower almost continuously.

African violets adjust well to the warm temperatures and dry air of homes. In the wild, African violets grow where they are shaded by trees. While they require good light, direct sunlight is not necessary. Windows facing north or east provide favorable light conditions and are preferable to those exposed to midday and afternoon sunshine during summer. The sunnier, warmer windows are better in the winter. Turn the plants every few weeks.

African violets are not true violets and not hardy in temperate climates. They prefer the same temperatures we do, generally 65 to 75 degrees, and will stop growing when the thermometer dips below 55 degrees. They cannot take extremes of heat for very long, either.

You can buy potting mixes specifically formulated for African violets, but to make up your own mix, use two parts sphagnum peat moss, one part potting soil and one part vermiculite. Once or twice a year you should remove the plant from its container, dig out some of the soil around the root mass and then repot in a fresh mix.

African violets flower more if they are somewhat rootbound, so keep them in a pot that is about one-third as wide as the plant and has a drainage hole.

There is some disagreement about watering African violets. Some say to let the plants dry out first; others insist on keeping them evenly moist. One thing experts agree on: Don't allow the soil to remain wet, as it will cause the roots to rot. A compromise is to water African violets when the surface of the mix is slightly dry to the touch. Use room-temperature water that is left in an open container overnight so chlorine can dissipate.

There are three ways to water: from the top, from the bottom or by wicking. The last method calls for running a wick, such as a piece of yarn or a cord, from a pan of water to the pot. Let the wick circle the inside bottom of the pot to encourage even root growth.

When watering from the top, try not to wet the foliage or spill water onto the center crown of the plant since it could damage new buds. Use facial tissue to blot excess water from the foliage. Bottom watering -- letting the pot soak up a dish of water, then removing it after 20 minutes safeguards against leaf spotting.

It is recommended you feed the plant with an African violet fertilizer, diluted to one-fourth the strength recommended on the package, every time you water. However, fertilizer salts can build up in the soil. Every two months leach these salts out of the mix by pouring several cups of water through the pot.

You can clean its felt-like leaves by dusting them with a small, soft artist's paintbrush. Be sure to pinch off dead flowers and leaves.