Almost everyone has had an African violet on a windowsill one time or another.
The original African violet was discovered in Tanzania by Baron Von Saint Paul in 1892. Since then, thousands of cultivars have been developed, and it has remained a favourite houseplant throughout the years.
This plant comes in a variety of sizes, from standard to the tiniest miniatures, with leaves from edged to wavy and even variegated. Flowers range from single to semi-double to double in a variety of colours, including a contrasting edge, and even speckled.
There are also hanging African violets in a variety of sizes and colours. African violet seeds have even been in space resulting in mutations, one of which is the Optimara EverFloris “space violet,” which is continuous blooming with more and larger blooms.
When purchasing an African violet, make sure it has a single crown with leaves radiating out symmetrically from the centre. The flowers should stand upright in the centre on strong stems.
The main stem of the plant from which the leaves radiate should be very short. A longer stem indicates an older plant that has lost the lower leaves.
Hanging African violets have multiple crowns that will grow over the edge of the pot. They also produce a multitude of flowers.
Grow your violet by an east or west facing window. A south window will work if the light is filtered through sheer curtains, but a north window will not provide enough light for flowering.
Normal house temperatures of 18 to 22 ºC are fine.
Winter humidity levels can be a bit low. Setting the plant on a pebble tray can add humidity during the driest months, but don’t let the pot sit in water. Mine do fine without added humidity as long as they are not near a heat source.
Water regularly, allowing the medium to dry between waterings. Use tepid water and avoid getting water on the leaves. More violets die from crown rot from overwatering than from any other cause.
Fertilize regularly to promote blooming. A good practice is to use fish emulsion or African violet fertilizer at one-fourth regular strength with each watering.
Re-pot when enough lower leaves have been lost that the stem shows above the rim of the pot. Cut off about one-third of the bottom root mass to set the plant lower in the pot.
Do not move to a larger pot unless the pot was too small – the ideal pot size is about one-third the diameter of the spread of the leaves. Use an African violet potting mix or a light porous indoor potting mix to replant. New roots will grow from the bare stem in the soil.
With proper care, your African violet will live happily for many years.
