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How to Plant African Violets You can use an actual African violet potting mix or an all-purpose potting soil, as long as it is well-draining. Keep African violets planted in small pots and repot every few years to mix in fresh soil. The soil should be loose and well-drained, and high organic matter content is a plus.
What is the best way to grow African violets?
Grow plants in bright, indirect light for the best color and blooms. A plant stand three feet away from a west- or south-facing window is an ideal location. Plants will still grow when situated right beside north- or east-facing windows, but leaves will be thin and spindly, and plants less likely to bloom.
How deep should an African Violet be planted?
(Note: As you prepare your new pot, keep in mind that the final soil level should be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch below the rim of the pot.) After you have put soil at the bottom of your new pot, remove your African Violet from its current pot.
Can I use regular potting soil for African violets?
Can You plant African Violets in Regular Potting Mix? A preferred potting mix for African Violets doesn’t contain any soil or dirt in the mixture. It also helps to keep the soil moist and drain extra water from the soil. Regular potting will work but make sure they are well-draining.
When should I plant my African violets?
African violets should be repotted about twice a year, or every 5-6 months. One mature, this simply means repotting the plant with some fresh soil, into the same size pot.
How often should African violets be watered?
An important point to remember when bottom watering African Violet plants is to top water at least once a month. This way you are flushing out any extra fertilizer salt build up and refreshing the soil/roots from the top too.
How do you get African violets to soil?
Simple African Violet Potting Mix Recipes Two cups Peat Moss +one cup Vermiculite + one cup Perlite (50:25:25 ratio) One cup Peat moss + one cup Vermiculite or Perlite (50: 50 ratio).
What kind of soil do African violets need?
African violets grow best in soil which is loose, porous, and well-draining. The first consideration in choosing an appropriate potting mix is your home growing conditions—heat, humidity, and light. If your home is lacking in humidity, choose a mix high in organic matter.
Do African violets like to be crowded?
Violets need to feel crowded to bloom, but when a plant gets too big for its pot, divide the plant’s separate-looking leaf heads. When you repot, tease the roots apart and plant in room-temperature potting soil.
How do you bring an African violet back to life?
If a majority of the roots are still white or light-colored, prune off the rotted roots, and re-pot the plant in soil for African violets in a container with several drainage holes. You can water from top or bottom with water at room temperature or slightly warmer.
What is the best African violet fertilizer?
These are 5 of the best fertilizers for African Violets that I recommend. Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food. Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food. EarthPods Premium African Violet Plant Food. Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food. Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food.
How long do African violets live?
Repotting these blooms is so important due to their long lifespan. “Remember that African violets have a very long lifespan and have been said to last up to 50 years,” says Ryan McEnaney, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
How big can African violets get?
African violets are typically classified by size, based on how wide they grow: Miniature: less than 8 inches across. Standard: 8–16 inches across. Large: more than 16 inches across.
How long do African violets live indoors?
can last indefinitely, according to the Bay State African Violet Society. It’s not unusual for them to live 50 years or more with proper care. The key is to avoid overwatering, chilling and direct sunlight — three things that can drastically reduce an African violet’s lifespan.
How often do you repot an African violet?
There are several schools of thought on the right way to repot, but all agree you can buy or make your own African violet mix. Before removing your plant, select a container that is one third the size of the plant’s leaf spread. Most collectors recommend repotting at least once and up to twice per year.
Do African violets need direct sunlight?
African violets need indirect sunlight, direct can burn the leaves. Choose a north- or east- facing window for best results. Keep plants away from cold glass and rotate the pot once a week so all leaves receive light. Extend daylight by placing African violets under a grow light during winter months.
Should you water African violets from the bottom?
Should I water African violets from the top or bottom? Either is fine. It is important not to use cold water; lukewarm or warm is preferred. If you water from the top, be careful not to get water on the leaves when the plant is in the sun; this is to avoid leaf spots.
Should you deadhead African violets?
Deadheading. If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
Should African violets be watered from the top or bottom?
The roots of the African Violet need aeration, so keeping them moderately moist but never soggy is the key. Watering from the bottom so they can soak the water up, over an hour or so, will help to keep water out of the crown of the plant. African Violets like warmer water, around 70 degrees.
