African violets are one of the most beautiful plants. They have the kind of charm that can cheer up your day. If you would like to grow them, or if you are new in growing them, you will most definitely use these tips to help you in the process.
African violets are small houseplants that produce clusters of white, blue, or purple flowers over fuzzy leaves.
How to Grow African Violets
African violets will bloom with lower light, though medium to bright indirect light is best. They can be a bit fussy, so check out more tips on how to make sure your African violets bloom.
Light
They require indirect light, otherwise direct sunshine can burn their leaves. It is perfect to place them at windowsills as long as they receive indirect sunlight. Windowsills that face east or west are the best locations for the plants which require 10-14 hours of light and eight hours of darkness a day for maximum blooms.
Water
Make sure you keep the soil moist to touch but never soaked. If you water by hand don’t splash any water onto the leaves. Water from the bottom up. By doing this you will help avoid the potted plant look.
Temperature
African violets are like a lot of people – they thrive in comfortable indoor temperatures that range from around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil
Pot the plant into the right soil for the easiest African violet care. Special mixes are available or make your own from peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite in equal parts.
Fertilizer
Fertilize African violet plants with special African violet food or a food with a higher phosphorus number — the middle number in the NPK fertilizer ratio, as 15-30-15. Fertilizer can be mixed at one-quarter strength and used at every watering. Reduced flowering and paler leaf color indicate that growing African violets are not getting enough fertilizer.
Propagation
Once you see new crowns have formed in the pot, remove the entire plant so you can gently separate the new growth and put it in its own container. Or, you can cut a leaf from the plant and root it in water, making sure that the water does not cover the leaf.