African violets can add charm and a grace note to your home, and they come in a vast variety of charming colors.    You may have tried them before and not been successful, but I believe they are worth another chance.

If First You Don’t Succeed

If you have been reading my articles, columns, books, blogs, and newsletters for a while – you  know that I have killed a few plants in my day.    I’m not proud of that but it is a sad fact of life that gardeners kill plants.  It takes time for any gardener to discover which plants work for them, for the soil in their yard, and for their particular style of gardening.    The same can be said for growing houseplants.    Some folks have indoor jungles, while others have a few bedraggled plants lurking in corners.

While I am successful with a fair number of houseplants, in the past African violets have generally failed to thrive in my care.   Until now. What has changed?    I have no idea.  This just proves the old adage, “If first you can’t succeed, try, try again.”

African Violet Botany

Just so you know this is really me and not AI, let me share with you a tiny bit of the botany of the plant – because yes, I am a Botany nerd.  The scientific name is now Streptocarpus ionanthus – formerly Saintpaulia ionanthus.  They are in the Gesneriaceae, or Gesnerid family, and despite the common name, not at all related to the violets (Viola) in the Violaceae, the Violet family.  African violets are native to the cool mountain cloud forests of eastern tropical Africa.

Grow African Violets

Temperature

First, the good news, African violets thrive in normal household temperatures.    While you might think of Africa as a hot place, remember the snows of Kilimanjaro! African violets like temperate temperatures -  between 65 and 85 degrees.

Humidity

Now the not so good news.   African violets come from cloud forests of Africa, and thus they do best where the humidity is between 50 and 80 percent.    Humans find such high humidity excessive. Homes and offices that have any sort of climate control bring humidity to between 25 and 35 percent. Homes and offices in desert climates may have humidity around 15 percent.

One way to increase the local humidity around your plants is to place their pots in trays (or saucers) of pea gravel filled with water.

Note! Do not let the pots actually sit in the water, the roots will drown.
Just the littlest bit of water contact.    You can use a tray of decorative marbles or colorful aquarium gravel if you prefer.

Light

Find a site indoors that is neither too dim nor overly bright.

African violets do not want direct sunlight ever, so in most cases our home windowsills are not a place to put them. Exceptions – north facing windows are fine.   That said, I have a brat cat, and any windowsills in my home are not an option.

Soil

Soil is important for all plants, but especially African violets.    They prefer a porous well-drained soil. Cactus mix appears to suit them.    Avoid any heavy loam soil even though the label may say it is specifically formulated for African violets.    That soil may be why they previously died on my watch.

Some African violet keepers use soil-less mixes such as pure perlite, but then you have to watch your fertilizer schedule, so for the casual grower, cactus mix is good.

Containers

Plastic pots or clay pots?    Everyone has their favorite, but for me, it seems that the plastic pots work best for African violets.    Plastic because the temperature and moisture levels of the soil will stay more uniform.    Terra cotta pots are porous, and the sides can become cool as moisture evaporates through the clay.    Some plants don’t appreciate that.

Water

Water your African violet from the bottom.    Remember the moist tray for humidity?    Make sure the tray is deep enough that you can add water so the pot has a bare eighth of an inch submerged – but ONLY once a week.    Then let the soil dry out.    If you don’t go with trays of gravel, try to water African violets from the bottom.    Or use top dressing.

Top Dressing

I could make a joke here, but let’s keep our family rating.

Top dressing means placing a layer of “dressing” on top of the soil.    Top dressing is like mulch in the garden, but here we use a material that will NOT decay.    Top dressing helps keep the soil in the pot, plus it looks so pretty.

The leaves and stems of African violets are very tender and can easily be wounded, so I suggest smooth pea gravel or maybe decorative marbles. My favorite local nursery offers bags of lovely natural pea gravel among their other houseplant supplies.

Fertilizer for African Violets

African violets will bloom best with regular fertilizer in small amounts. Select one that high in phosphorus (the middle number) for more prolific blooms.    (More about fertilizer) Fish emulsion works too.    Due watering from the bottom, I dissolve this in water then apply.

Where to Get Plants?

A local plant nursery – but not a big box place. These plants do not respond well to big-box care, and thus they will not carry them. Start looking now, because local places will carry them as the season cools.

Plant enthusiasts (nerds) will share their cuttings. Not just cuttings. You often get the history too. I have a plant that was grown by a Librarian who got it from her great-aunt in Chicago, and the great-aunt got it from her mom, who got it from a neighbor almost 100 years ago. Gotta love the durability!

Grow!

I do hope that with these tips you will feel inspired and adventurous enough to add an African violet or two to your home.    The plants are pretty, plus in exchange for a little care they  reward you with charming blooms, help clean the household air, and release oxygen.    What’s not to like?

As always, Enjoy!

Jacqueline

More Houseplant Basics

Five Houseplant Selection Tips

Orchids as Flowering Houseplants

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