Care and Growing African Violet Plants - Easy to Grow Color

Question: My grandmother always had African violets as houseplants on her kitchen window sill and the always seemed to have flowers on them. I'm just starting to play with some and carry on the "violet growing tradition" ... Mine always seem to get spots on the leaves. Can you tell me why? Shana, Little Rock, Arkansas

Answer: The African Violet originates in Africa and isn’t a violet at all, but belongs to the family of Gesneriaceae. The common name comes from the primary flower color, although you can find the “violets” in pink, blue and white flowers.

The botanical name “Saintpaulia” honors Baron Walter von Saint Paul who first discovered them and brought the plants back to Europe in 1893. They adapt almost perfectly to indoor life and they bloom almost continually.

Description

This low-growing, hairy-leafed plant hold leaves roughly oval in shape and dark green. There are hundred of varieties of Saintpaulia whose blossoms range from pink to mauve to blue to violet. The flowers, sometimes run up to as much as an inch and a half across but usually smaller, some miniature varieties also exist.

Growing conditions

Low humidity can be a factor but overall african violets adapt very well to home-growing conditions. They will thrive in a an environment of 70° to 75° temperatures during the day and not below 60° at night.

In the winter if the temperature gets down much below below 60° the plant should be moved away from the windows for the night. In nature african violets live in a moist, humid African jungle, it needs even more humidifying than most plants.

The best way to “create” this growing condition is to set plants in a deep pan or saucer on an inch layer of pebbles filled with water to just below the pot.

Watering

Part of any houseplant care program involves watering. The best practice in growing African Violets should be watered from below, or from above with a watering can with a long spout.

The long spout lets you reach inside the foliage and wet the soil without splashing the leaves. One of the major troubles the home gardener runs into with Saintpaulia is the problem of white spots forming on the leaves. This is usually caused by cold water splashing on the leaves. Always use room temperature water or warmer. You can also use the wick-type watering system.

One of the reasons these little plants have been enjoyed for decades is they don’t require, great deal of sun. An east or west window is best, although many African Violets can grow well in a northern exposure but usually only in the summer time. To keep the leaves of your African Violets free of dust, clean them with a soft brush — a small soft paint brush will do the trick.

Soil

African Violets like a rich soil, special soil mixes have been designed for them and can be purchased in the garden center. As with other commercially packaged soils, this mixture has been scientifically prepared to the exact specifications for Saintpaulia for maximum growth. When potting or transplanting an African Violet, be sure the soil is not packed too tightly as they like a well aerated soil and thrive in a more roomy pot.

Plant Food

Just like the soil mixes for African Violet suppliers have created specialty fertilizer for this one plant. This plant food should be applied periodically in amounts specified on the label and when repotting, transplanting or starting new plants from cuttings.

Propagation

The most common way of propagating African Violets is by the leaf-cuttings, preferably in the spring. This way new plants can benefit from summer weather to grow. It will generally take about ten or twelve weeks for the first new leaves to appear. A successful new plant will flower after four to six weeks. That’s why you start the process in the early spring and should have a grown and flowering Saintpaulia by fall.

Pests and Diseases

African Violets are subject to attacks of mealybugs and red spider. If you have an epidemic of these little creatures, use only insecticides labeled for use on African Violets. Look for natural methods of pest control options.