How to Grow and Take Care of African Violets: A Complete Guide

African violets are a famous indoor plant. The reason for their popularity is simplicity and ease of growth. It is also an easy-to-care-for plant. One of its characteristics is that it is a flowering plant. Its flowers are very attractive. For these various reasons, people choose this plant for their indoor garden.

Now, I will share with you some easy tips to take care of your lovely African violets from my own experience.
Let’s see the tips:

Sufficient Sunlight

Indirect light is more effective for most indoor plants. African violets are no exception. African violets grow best in indirect light. Morning and afternoon sunlight are very beneficial for the growth of this plant. You know that leaf burn occurs due to excessive sunlight, so you can place it in an east- or west-facing window. Or you can place your plant in a place where it does not get direct sunlight but bright sunlight. This process is good for your lovely violets.

Enough Water

Water is essential for every living thing. Some organisms may need less water and some organisms need more. But water is essential for all. African violets don’t need much water. Watering your plant once a day is sufficient, except in winter. In winter, check to see if the soil is dry first; if the soil is dry, then water your plant. Refrain from watering unless the soil is dry. Top watering is good for your plant. Water that is high in chlorine or chloramine is also good for your violets. You can also use rainwater for your plant.

Nutrient-Rich Soil

Each and every plant needs perfect soil to grow properly. For your plant, you can use lightweight soil or golden soil. Lightweight soil is best for indirect light plants. As African violets are indirect light plants, you can easily use lightweight soil. You can also use golden soil—it is also perfect for your plant.
Since every plant needs nutrients to grow, you should use nutrient-rich soil for your plant. You can use peat moss, sand, coconut husk, and vermiculite in proper ratios to enrich your plant’s soil.

Fertilizer

We should use fertilizers for every plant because fertilizer helps plants grow bigger, faster, stronger, and healthier. So, using fertilizer is a must.
Water-soluble fertilizers are good for plants and easy for you to use. With water-soluble fertilizer, you can easily change the ratio. Slow-release fertilizers are also beneficial for your plant because they work slowly, which is good for the plant.
You can also make fertilizer at home and easily use it on your plant. Let’s learn how to make homemade fertilizer now:

• Take a lot of onion peels in a bowl and soak them in enough water for 1 day. The next morning, use that water on the roots of your plant. This will provide sulfur to your plant.
• You can also take some banana peels and soak them in enough water for 1 or 2 days. Then use this water on the roots of your plant. This will provide your plant with potassium and magnesium.
• After drinking tea, do not throw away the tea leaves. Dry them and place them at the base of the plant. This will help maintain soil temperature and protect the plant from insects.
  You must fertilize your plant in the summer or spring season, but homemade fertilizer can be used at all times.

Proper Pruning

It’s very easy to prune your African violets. Follow these steps to prune your lovely violets:
Step 1: Remove dry leaves and dead leaves.
Step 2: Remove dry flowers.
Step 3: You can also remove old leaves.
Step 4: Remove dry and rotten stems.
Pruning helps the plant grow new growth and restores the plant’s beauty.

Correct Temperature

Maintaining temperature is very important for African violets. African violets can tolerate 65°F to 85°F. This range is perfect for your plant. African violets like warm weather. But when the temperature is cool, African violets suffer more. So you can use artificial light during extreme cold to maintain the temperature.

Adequate Humidity

An important part of African violets’ full growth is humidity. The perfect range of humidity is 70% to 80%. To maintain humidity:

1. You can put some plants together.
2. You can put your plants in your bathroom or kitchen.
3. You can use a tray with water and pebbles. Put your plant’s tub on the tray.
4. Sometimes, spray water on your plants to increase humidity.
5. You can also use a humidifier to increase humidity. After following these tips, you can easily maintain your plant’s humidity.

Ways to Avoid Insects and Diseases

Insect attacks and plant diseases are very common problems. First, we will learn some insect problems and their solutions:

Insects

Whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids are common pests for plants. To remove this problem:

1. You can use neem oil on the leaves of the plant.
2. Mix alcohol, dishwashing detergent, and water properly. Then spray this on your plant to remove pests.
3. You can also put a clove of garlic into the plant’s soil. By following these steps, you can solve this problem.

Diseases

Now, we will know some common diseases name, reason and its treatment.

Root Rot

Cause: Overwatering
Treatment: Stop watering for some days. Water your plant when the soil is dry.
Prevention: Before watering, check the plant’s soil. If the soil is dry, then water your plant. Make necessary holes in the plant pot for drainage.

Powdery Mildew

Cause: In a humid environment, when your African violets do not get adequate air circulation.
Treatment: Take one gallon of water. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with the water and spray this mixture on the infected area. Otherwise, you can use fungicide made to treat powdery mildew.
Prevention: Provide adequate ventilation in the area where your plant grows. In a very humid environment, use a fan or spray water repeatedly.

Botrytis Blight

Cause: In a cool and moist environment
Treatment: This virus can be easily cured. Cut off the part of your plant where you see the virus spot.
Prevention: Avoid overwatering and give your plant adequate air.

Some Common Problems and Their Solutions

Some common problems you may face when taking care of your African violets. Let’s see the problems and their solutions

Leaf Burn

Cause: Generally occurs in summer due to hot sun and excessive sunlight.
Solution: Keep your plant out of direct sunlight during midday sun.

Yellow Leaves

Cause: In winter, yellow leaves are normal and a sign of old leaves. But too many yellow leaves may be caused by over-fertilizing, overwatering, under watering, or excessive sunlight.
Solution: Stop over-fertilizing and overwatering. Remove your plant from direct hot sunlight. Apply water and fertilizer as per the instructions above.

Reasons for not flowering

There are some reasons your African violets are not flowering:

1. Low humidity
2. Low light
3. Too big pots
4. Wrong fertilizer
5. Not repotting

Solutions:

1. Give your plant perfect humidity, light, and fertilizer as per the instructions above.
2. Use the perfect pot for your lovely plant
3. Repot your plant in the summer or spring. Avoid repotting in winter.