Gardening tip: How to ensure better blooming African violets

Rosanne Loparco
·2 min read

African violets are one of the most popular and recognizable houseplants. They come in a variety of sizes and flower colors.

A common frustration among African violet gardeners is why the plant either stops blooming or doesn't bloom at all. If your African violet is not blooming as it should, chances are one or more of these issues are the cause.

Light

African violets need at least 10 hours of bright, filtered light per day, but must also have eight hours of darkness to bloom.

Fertilizer

These houseplants are heavy feeders. Feed plants weekly with a good-quality African violet fertilizer.

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Soil medium

Your soil should be a light, soilless mix. Regular potting soil used for other houseplants won't work for African violets. If the soil is too heavy, you won't see many flowers.

Pot size

African violets actually prefer to be pot-bound. Your container should be no more than four inches deep and the width only a third the size of the leaf span.

The foliage of African violets can be very sensitive.

To avoid getting discoloration or spots on leaves, take precautions not to get any water on the leaves when watering. Consider watering from the bottom of the container instead of the top. Don't overwater; touch the soil surface and water when dry.

Plants prefer indoor temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They also like humidity; increase humidity by setting pots on trays with water and pebbles. Don't let pots sit in the water; set them on top of the pebbles.

For more information on growing these plants, visit the African Violet Society of America's website at africanvioletsocietyofamerica.org.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name and phone number. Questions are answered weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, visit our website at cceoneida.com or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: How to care for African violets for better blooms