How to Grow African Violets

African Violets are one of the most popular flowering houseplants. They come in a wide variety of colors and leaf textures, and they are a small, compact houseplant that can easily be grown on a windowsill.

African Violets are readily available, they can be found in the floral department of almost any grocery store. Even if you have never purchased one for yourself, thinking they were too hard to grow, you have probably purchased an African Violet as a gift for someone else.

African Violets are very easy to grow, if you follow a few basic growing tips.

The number one problem most of us have with any houseplant is the tendency to over water them. More houseplants die from drowning than from dehydration, African Violets included. Water them when the top layer of soil in the pot is dry, and use water that is room temperature. Do not get any water on the foliage.

African Violets like well drained soil, do not allow the soil to become soggy. If you leave your plant in the original container in which you purchased it, make sure there is a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. If you re-pot your African Violet, place small pebbles or some pieces of broken pottery over the drainage hole in the new pot first to ensure proper drainage. Check the drainage hole from time to time to be sure it is not plugged up.

Do not keep African Violets in direct sun, especially in the summer. Diffused light from a north or east facing window is the best. The more light these plants receive, the more leaves they will grow and the more flowers they will produce, since the new flower buds form in the axil of each new leaf. Keeping the plants under a fluorescent light will provide continuous, even growth of the plant.

A regular feeding program with a water soluble plant food will produce an abundance of flowers and healthy foliage. There are several brands of water soluble plant foods specifically designed for African Violets, but I have found just the regular Miracle Grow type of plant food used for all other houseplants works fine for African Violets.

Check plants for any sign of insects, (yes, even houseplants can become infested with insects). If you see signs of insects such as holes in the leaves, white/brown spots, lightly dust the plant with a powered insecticide like Seven Dust.

African Violets are easy to grow and will provide year round indoor color with proper care.