African Violets

Plant of the Week March 14, 2022

 Saintpaulia

 By: Jane Oksnevad, Anoka County Master Gardener

 African violets are an easy houseplant to grow. As a child, my grandmother had many plants in an East-facing window. They bloomed in different colors and looked so healthy. My aunt still has several of hers. I received one for Mother's Day several years ago. Not only have I kept it alive, it even blooms!

The African violet (Saintpaulia) is from Eastern Africa. It is in the same family (Gesneriaceae) as gloxinia and primrose. There are over 16,000 identified African violets that may be miniature, standard, or large. You can find one in almost any color and even flower shape. Blooms can be single, double, or ruffled. Leaves come in different colors like silver-green, blue-green or bright green. The leaves have a velvety, fuzzy texture.

African violets need a soilless potting mixture high in peat. Look for African violet mix where you buy soil. The roots are very fine and need air, so the soil needs to be loose. They cannot tolerate sitting in water, so make sure their pots have good drainage. The plant should be repotted at least once a year with fresh potting soil. A good rule of thumb for pot size is one-third the spread of the plant for best blooms. 

Water from the top or bottom. Take care not to get the leaves wet as it can cause leaf spot. Keep soil evenly moist, but never saturated. Use room temperature distilled water mixed with African violet fertilizer at each watering. Always empty the cache pot to prevent root rot, which is the number one reason African violets die.

 A cool bright location facing northeast is best. The optimal temperature is 70 degrees with humidity between 40- 60%. Powdery mildew can be a problem with too much humidity. Leaves that bleach or turn bronze means too much light. Stems and leaves growing straight up mean not enough light. Plants that receive adequate light will grow flat with a wheel of leaves and bloom several times a year.

IMAGE BY JOSE LIZANA FROM PIXABAY

For other information on African violets, I found: https://www.africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org They have local chapters all over the UnitedStates and there is a local one in the Twin Cities. Another helpful site: https://extension.umn.edu/house-plants/african-violets .