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Plant Care
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Julie Bawden-Davis
Plant Care Guide

African violet (Saintpaulia spp)

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  • General Information
  • Buy
  • Plant
  • Sow Seeds
  • Fertilize
  • Water
  • Prune
  • Mulch
  • Protect
  • Pest/Disease Inspection
  • Treat for Pest/Disease
  • Transplant
  • Propagate
  • Harvest
  • Special requirements

General Information

Flowering houseplant grown for its striking blooms that appear throughout the year. Flower colors include purple, pink, white, red and blue. Foliage is fuzzy. The plants come in standard and mini sizes.

Sunset Zones

USDA Zones

Web Link

http://www.healthyhouseplants.com/index.php/plant-of-the-month/african-violet.html

Buy

When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!

January
Buy when available in the nursery or via mail-order. Buy plants when flowering so you can choose the bloom color.

Plant

When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?

Sow Seeds

When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?

Fertilize

When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?

Water

Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?

January
Keep plant moist but not overly wet. Water when the plant starts to approach dryness. Mini African violets may need watering two to three times per week, as they dry out more quickly. Water from below by filling a container that is slightly larger than the plant pot with room temperature or tepid water and place the pot inside. It will slowly soak up water. If you water from above, avoid wetting leaves. African violets also respond well to wick watering systems.

Prune

When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?

January
Pinch out old leaves at the base of the plant on a regular basis.

Mulch

Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much?

Protect

When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved?

Pest/Disease Inspection

What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear?

January
Check for mealybugs on the underside of leaves and in flowers.

Treat for Pest/Disease

How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements?

January
Spray mealybugs with isopropyl alcohol; let sit for 30 minutes; then remove the dried out pests with a tissue or soft brush. Repeat as necessary until the mealybugs are gone.

Transplant

When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements?

Propagate

When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?

Harvest

When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?

Special requirements

Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories?

January
African violets require humidity of 60% to 80% to do well. If you live in a climate that is dry, place the plant pots on top of a humidity tray to increase humidity. The plants also require proper lighting to bloom. Place in an unobstructed northern exposure window for continuous bloom throughout the year. Plants can be moved from the window and displayed when in bloom and then returned to the window once they finish flowering.