How To Take Care of An African Violet Indoors

It seems like African Violet has gained the reputation as a difficult-to-grow plant, but it’s actually not as scary as it seems. Just make sure to follow the rules below and you’ll see that growing an African Violet indoors is actually a piece of cake. 

1. General Information

2. African Violet Care Guide & Growing Requirements

You have to follow a few rules when growing African Violets indoors, and if you do it right, this small houseplant will reward you with beautiful flower clusters. 

African violets also flower multiple times a year, so filling your windowsill with different African Violet varieties is never a bad idea. Also, you should know that it comes in different shapes and colors, and there are several hundred varieties out there, so the possibilities are endless. 

Now, let’s get to African Violets’ care requirements. 

» Water requirements

This is the hardest part, as it can cause a lot of problems. 

Rule 1: African Violets’ soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. Avoid letting your plant sit in water or the soil dry out completely. 

Rule 2: Use room-temperature or lukewarm water. 

Rule 3: Never splash water on the African Violet’s foliage – it will damage the leaves. Water it at the base or from below. 

These are the first rules you have to follow when it comes to watering your African Violet. Not that hard, am I right? 

» Lighting requirements

This is an easy one, as your African Violet requires bright, indirect light. Just don’t place it in a shady corner or in a spot with direct sunlight, and it should do just fine. 

It’s also best to turn your African Violet regularly.

Rule 4: Place your African Violet in a spot with bright, filtered light. 

» Soil and fertilization requirements

This is related to the watering part, so it’s quite important. To prevent your African Violet from sitting in water it is essential to use well-drained soil. You can buy a special mix like the Miracle-Gro African Violet Potting Mix, that’s blended for the specific needs of your African Violet, or make your own. 

Rule 5: Use a well-drained potting mix. 

There are also fertilizers specially created for your African Violet’s needs. One of the best products out there would be (you guessed it) the one from Miracle-Gro. Just apply it once a week to promote flowering. 

» Temperature & Humidity requirements

A warm environment is recommended for your African Violet. The ideal temperature would be somewhere between 65ºF – 70ºF (18 – 21ºC). 

When it comes to humidity, this plant is native to the mountain of Africa, where the humidity levels are quite high. However, your African Violet will be happy if you provide at least 50 percent humidity. As long as there are no water drops on the leaves, misting should do the trick. 

3. Repotting and Pruning Your African Violet

Your African Violet should be repotted when it becomes rootbound. The procedure is also quite easy, since you will have to just put out your plant from the old pot, add a layer of soil at the bottom of the new pot, in case the new one is deeper, place the plant in the middle of the new pot, and then fill the empty space with new soil, while making sure not to hurt the roots or the plant in the process.  

This way, you’ll minimize the effect transplant shock can have upon your African Violet. 

Pruning is quite easy too. Since your African Violet will constantly produce new leaves, you’ll have to remove a few from the base of the plant from time to time. You’ll also have to remove the spent flowers.

Conclusion

See, African Violet care is not that hard, as long as you follow a few rules. If your soil is well-drained, the humidity and light levels are adequate, and you make sure not to leave water drops on its leaves, everything should be just fine.