African Violet
The little fuzzy-leaved plant that flowers indoors almost all year in purple, pink or white. Pet-safe, compact, and happiest with steady warmth, bright filtered light and water that never touches the leaves.
African violets were the houseplant of the twentieth century, and they still flower more reliably indoors than almost anything else. A happy plant blooms for ten months of the year on a windowsill and stays small enough to keep a dozen.
They have a reputation for fussiness that mostly comes down to two things: cold water on the leaves, and drafts. Avoid both and they are easy.
Light
Bright, filtered light. An east window is classic; a north one works if it is unobstructed. Direct sun scorches the fuzzy leaves. Under a lamp or grow light they flower year-round.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist and water from below: set the pot in a saucer of room-temperature water for twenty minutes, then drain. Every five days or so in summer, weekly in winter. Cold water or water on the leaves leaves pale spots.
Soil and potting
A light, airy African violet mix, or peat with plenty of perlite. A small, shallow pot, about a third the width of the leaf spread; it flowers best slightly root-bound. Repot yearly into fresh mix at the same size.
Feeding
A quarter-strength balanced or violet feed every two weeks while it is flowering, which is most of the year.
Propagation
Leaf cuttings. Cut a healthy leaf with an inch of stalk, push the stalk into damp mix, and cover with a bag. Plantlets appear at the base in a couple of months.
In a hot, dry home
Manageable. It likes forty-five percent humidity and dislikes drafts, so keep it out of the AC's path and group it with other small plants. Bottom-watering suits the dry air; the soil never gets a chance to crust.
Problems and fixes
Pale rings or spots on leaves
Likely cause: Cold water on the foliage
Fix: Water from below with room-temperature water.
No flowers
Likely cause: Not enough light or too big a pot
Fix: Brighter filtered light or a grow light; keep the pot small.
Crown rot, centre going mushy
Likely cause: Water sitting in the crown or soggy soil
Fix: Bottom-water, let it dry more, remove affected leaves.
Leaves reaching upward and pale
Likely cause: Too little light
Fix: Move closer to a window.
African Violet questions
Is the African violet safe for cats and dogs?
Yes. It is non-toxic to pets.
How do I get my African violet to flower?
Bright filtered light, a small pot, regular weak feeding and steady warmth. A grow light makes flowering almost continuous.
Why does my African violet have spots on its leaves?
Cold water on the leaves. Water from below with room-temperature water.
