Skip to main content

How to Care for African Violets

The burst of color from African violet flowers can really brighten up your home and perk up your spirits.  Is your thumb more brown than green?  Not to worry, African violet care is very easy.

Read on to learn the best tips to care for African violets.

How to Grow Beautiful African Violets

(This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase using these links.)

African violet
My African Violet
It's easy to Grow and care for African violets with these seven tips.
Pin This Post For Later:  Seven Tips for African Violet Care

Here's a nine-minute video that will show you how I care for my African violets.

Watch My African Violet Care Video


Seven Tips for African Violet Care

African violets like diffused, bright light.  I have them in rooms with either a southern or a western exposure.  That's not to say that you can't grow them in other sunlight exposures, but these work beautifully for me.  It's best not to put your plants on a window sill.  Try tables placed near windows, but not directly on the sill.

African violets prefer stable temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees F and the nighttime temperature on a windowsill may be too cool for them.

Water from below.  Plant African violets in pots that encourage watering from below.  The pots I prefer most come in two parts having an outside ceramic pot with an unglazed pottery insert.  This allows for water placed in the base of the glazed outside bowl to be slowly absorbed through the unglazed pot holding the plant and the soil.

My pots work beautifully.  You can see how big and healthy my African violet is. Watering becomes a no-brainer activity with pots like these.  Every couple of weeks I check to see if all the water has been absorbed and if it has, I'll add more to the glazed pot.

An African violet pot
The Perfect African Violet Pot
Use African violet soil.  The soil used for my African violets is special African violet soil available in bags commercially. You can find suggestions for mixtures of soil to use with African violets on the Internet, but you will grow beautiful African violets with the soil you can buy at the local garden center or Home Depot.

Fertilize occasionally.  There is special African violet fertilizer available as well, but I don't bother with it.  Three or four times a year, I give all of my houseplants a good watering with Miracle Grow 10-10-10 water-soluble fertilizer.  The African violets get a dose at that time.  That's it.

Groom as needed.  African violets require occasional grooming.  When the blooms fade and dry out, as you see in the picture below, just pull them off.

Groom your African violet
Faded Blooms Needing Removal

Some of the leaves around the base of the plant will wilt and droop.  Those should be pulled out and discarded.

Remove dead African violet leaves
Droopy Leaves Need to Be Removed

A crowded African violet plant
African Violet Needs Re-potting

Re-pot when needed.  Once a year, assess whether your plants need re-potting.  The African violet in the pot above definitely needs re-potting.  It looks like it has had little baby African violets.  I'll need to pull it out of the pot get the full picture.  All I need is a bag of African violet soil and a new pot to get started.  I am ready to go.

Use African violet soil
Re-Potting Requires New Soil and a Pot
I spread newspaper on my kitchen island and pulled the African violet plant out of its pot.  The roots told me it was definitely time to re-pot this plant.

Repot root bound African violets
Root Bound African Violet

Next, I looked at the base of the plant and saw the main plant and two additional plants, one just a tiny baby plant.

A bonus African violet
Baby African Violets
I prepared a pot for each of the plants.  The little baby plant is in a small starter pot.  It will need a bit of attention to be sure it thrives. 

I filled each pot with new African violet soil and pressed the soil firmly around the plant.   Don't try to use any of the old soil because it is really worn out and needs to be discarded.

The result...three African violet plants from one.

Repotted African violets

One for me, one to gift and one to grow!  You can't beat that with a stick!

African violets for your home...a simple, yet beautiful thing.

Follow these simple steps for growing and caring for African violets and you will be rewarded with colorful indoor blooms.

Essentials for African Violet Care 

Green African Violet Pots Like Mine
Blue African Violet Pots Like Mine
4 Quart Organic African Violet Soil
African Violet Fertilizer


Read More:  Winter Care for Orchids and African Violets

Before you go...Never miss a Just One Donna post by signing up to receive posts in your email or your favorite RSS feed.  Links are in the sidebar.

Comments

  1. How do I get them to bloom? Where can I go to order more plants?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Follow the steps as I described above and your African violets will bloom. Just like any flowering plant, there is usually a little rest period after a bloom. I can't answer the question about where to go to order more plants because I don't know where you are from. My best suggestion is to try a local flower shop or garden center.

      Delete
  2. Great tips Donna! I've always wanted to give African Violets a try, especially during the drab winter months. I'll be pinning this for later. Thank you so much for joining the party at Dishing It & Digging It! Hope to see you back again this week :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. this was very helpful.. Thank you! Have a lovely day...

    Tamara

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Tamara. I hope you find that this information helps your African violets thrive. Mine continue to grow, reproduce and thrive with the tips I have shared.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a african violet in my south bay window of my kitchen. It has started gettinv brown leaves, what do i do about this. My flower is always in full bloom and seems to like it in the window.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard to say what is causing this without seeing the plant. It is normal for some leaves to turn brown and wilt. Just remove them. More new leaves will replace the ones you take off. If you've had the plant for a while it might need repotting. Did you watch my video? If not be sure to take a look at it.

      Delete
  6. My great aunt had the greenest thumb in the family. She said she used to use coffee grounds on them. Have you heard of this?

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a new one for me, BES! I do know many people use coffee grounds in their outside gardens.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi! How do you deal with an extremely crooked neck? Thanks for the post - I love my violets!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beth. I’ve had some success just repotting the plant by positioning the neck so that the plant is upright in the soil. That means the neck may be more horizontal than vertical in the soil but it seems to be ok.

      Delete
  9. Hi Donna, I am going to purchase the plant food on the Amazon site. How often should I feed them? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi, Be sure you follow the directions on the package for mixing the fertilizer. I’m not a big fertilizer user for my African violets. That means I only fertilize occasionally, not more than once a month. I do always fertilize after I transplant/repot. I live by the phrase, “Less is more” with my plants. Too much water or fertilizer is never a good thing. Good luck!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi... thanks. Is there a difference between plant food and fertilizer?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelsey, I think that is you buy a product specifically made for African violets you will be in good shape whether it is called plant food or fertilizer.

      Delete
  12. Hi Donna, I've lost 2 African Violet plants over the past year, and been very upset as they flowered abundantly and then died after that, all the leaves died off, and plant disappeared in the pot...this could be due to over watering or due to overexposed in direct sun light sitting on the windowsill, as you've rightly pointed out. I bought a pink St.Paulia today, and must take care of this. Your video presentation is indeed inspiring and motivating. Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello can you tell me when replanting do you bury the long neck

    ReplyDelete
  14. I just received 4 African Violets from my Grandmother. I'm super new to plants and NEED these to survive. They seem to be thriving... blooms galore. I see above, you say to pull the wilted stems. Is this a normal thing to occur on this plant... or a sign of something bad? Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Over time, you'll find that occasionally leaves will wilt and shrivel. That's normal. Once a week, as I water, I remove any leaves or dried blooms from the plant to keep it neat and tidy. If you have a lot of wilted leaves you have a problem. Don't over water. Also, be ready for your plants to take a little rest from blooming on occasion.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Talk to me. I welcome your comments. (These comments are strictly moderated. Spammers take note.)

More Popular Posts

Crunchy, Spicy Gingersnap Cookies

Crunchy, spicy, and yummy are all words used to describe a good gingersnap cookie.   While my hands-down, favorite cookie is a gooey chocolate chip cookie I occasionally crave a spicy ginger snaps cookie or  this molasses cookie .  This old-fashioned gingersnap cookie is a winner.  It's easy to make and will be a favorite in your recipe rotation. Traditional Ginger Snaps Cookie Recipe ( This post contains affiliate links.  I will be compensated when you make a purchase with these links.) Gingersnaps Cookies In the U.S., gingersnaps are usually drop cookies with lots of cracks on the surface.  That's exactly how I like them.  Those found in other countries may be thinner and sliced.  The Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie, and the pepparkakor, from Sweden, are often cut into festive shapes.  My gingersnaps are round. Reasons You'll Love These Gingersnap Cookies These gingersnaps are tasty cookies at any time of the year.   Their spiciness is perfect as a holid

How to Make a Perfect Bacon and Eggs Breakfast

In my opinion, the best breakfast consists of two perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, and toast made with hearty bread. This bacon and eggs recipe delivers. Bacon and eggs or eggs and bacon? No matter, it is definitely the breakfast you want on those lazy mornings when you have time to relax around the kitchen table, drinking a cup of coffee or two. The Best Bacon and Eggs Breakfast (This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience.  When you make a purchase using these links you help support this blog.) How to Cook Bacon and Eggs My technique was learned from my mom, by watching her make our family's breakfast over and over again, year after year.  This is a basted egg recipe which means the eggs are cooked in bacon grease. Cooking eggs in bacon fat is easy and takes just a little practice to perfect. All you really need for a great bacon and eggs breakfast is a good nonstick skillet and a good toaster . If you want to make your own bread fo

Grandma's Soft and Chewy Date-Filled Cookies

One of the things I can count on as the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons arrive each year is a feeling of nostalgia. The traditional foods we serve at our family's holiday tables can sure bring out all the feels. Now that it is officially cookie season, we should kick it off with an old-fashioned homemade date-filled cookie recipe. This is a soft, tender cookie with dates that is a special, nostalgic, family recipe.   An Old-Fashioned Date Cookies Recipe This old-fashioned, date-filled cookie was my dad's favorite cookie from his childhood. My dad was born in 1932 so this recipe has been around for quite a while. 

The Best Asian Dipping Sauce You'll Ever Taste

If you're looking for a versatile, easy-to-make Asian dipping sauce perfect for sushi and dumplings, then you've come to the right place. This recipe for the best Asian dipping sauce is perfect for any time you want a  kick of delicious Asian flavor. An Asian Dipping Sauce for Sushi and Dumplings Try this if you are looking for a dipping sauce that is a little more flavorful than you typically get with your takeout order. You'll love it with dumplings, too!

Traditional New England Whoopie Pies

Are you looking for the best whoopie pie recipe?  Whoopie pies are a quintessential New England dessert and a memorable treat from my childhood.   My mom would make them for us every once in a while.  Oh, what a treat to come home from school to a platter of chocolate whoopie pies!  Yum! Today I'm sharing my recipe for the best-ever whoopie pies. The Best Whoopie Pies Recipe without Marshmallow Fluff Whoopie Pies Whoopie pies are soft round cookie-like cakes with a smooth cream filling sandwiched in the center. Debate rages about the whoopie pie's origin.  Some say these goodies originated in New England, others say they originated with the Amish.   There is also debate about what ingredients should be in the filling.  Many recipes include fillings made with Marshmallow Fluff or buttercream but neither is  traditional, in my opinion.  The whoopie pie of my childhood is a traditional Maine whoopie pie recipe, made with a cooked flour and milk mixture added to suga

How to Doctor Up Store-Bought Potato Salad

Here's a potato salad time-saver for you just in time for summer cookouts. You'll love how you can transform grocery store potato salad so easily no matter whether you are hosting a BBQ or bringing a side dish for a summer barbecue. There's no judgment here. We don't always have the time to make a potato salad from scratch. Sometimes it is just easier to stop by your local grocery store to pick up a container of store-made potato salad. It's good. It's predictable.  It will do.  All it needs is a little doctoring. How to Make Store-Bought Potato Salad Better When you need a quick potato salad, and have no time to make one from scratch, that ordinary store-bought potato salad you have in your refrigerator can go from blah to amazing in just a few minutes with just a few ingredients. Yes, you can improve store-bought potato salad. How to Doctor Up Potato Salad to have a little more flavor? You're going to a potluck picnic or you are having

Easy Chicken Parmesan-A Make Ahead Freezer Dinner

Chicken Parmesan is a favorite dinner in the Just One Donna house because it is a delicious dish that can satisfy your cravings for Italian food. It's also easy to make at home with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry.  But what if you don't have time to cook on a busy weeknight? Don't worry, you can make Chicken Parmesan ahead of time and freeze it for later. I like to prepare Chicken Parmesan to have on hand in my freezer for those busy weeknights when we might be tempted to head to a restaurant instead of eating at home.  How to Make Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Busy Nights This post contains affiliate links.  I receive a small compensation when you shop using these links Easy Freezer Chicken Parmesan for Dinner Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Pa

Irish Cream Mousse Cake

Here's a chocolate cake that will help you celebrate St. Patrick's Day but you'll love it any day of the year. What's better than chocolate cake? In my family chocolate cake is one of the top five favorite desserts.  I know this because I took a poll. The only other cake to make the top five desserts list is our favorite carrot cake.  We usually prefer our chocolate cake with a simple chocolate buttercream frosting, but occasionally I try to mix it up by introducing a new filling, like this Irish Cream Cheesecake Mousse. A Kicked-up Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting This post contains affiliate links.  When you shop with these links we receive a small compensation. Irish Cream Mousse Chocolate Layer Cake The Irish Cream mousse used in this cake is yummy by itself or in these  Irish Cream Trifles .  Individual trifles are delicious and would be a fun alternative to this cake for St. Patrick's Day. Our favorite chocolate cake i

Can You Make Better Bacon in Water?

What is the best way to cook crisp, tender bacon? Today, let's investigate a new method for cooking bacon on the stove that I'm seeing suggested as a technique that will change your life.  It's frying your bacon in a pan with a small amount of water.  Is cooking bacon with a bit of water in the pan a better way to make bacon? How to Cook Bacon in Water This is a simple, relatively fast way to make perfectly cooked bacon every time. Whether you are looking to impress your guests with a decadent breakfast or just want to enjoy a delicious bacon treat, this technique is the perfect solution.

How to Trap and Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies can be a huge annoyance at certain times of the year. What can you do to kill fruit flies? We've all been there wondering how to get rid of fruit flies.  Fruit flies in the kitchen.  Fruit flies in the bathroom.  Fruit flies buzzing around everywhere in your home.   It's a frustrating problem that happens to everyone at one time or another.  If you are a fresh fruit and produce lover you certainly know what I mean. How to Kill Fruit Flies with Two Ingredients Those pesky little buggers can often be brought into your home on the vegetables and fruit you buy. You don't have to tolerate the annoyance.  This homemade fruit fly trap is one I have been using for many years and it works every time.