Easy to Grow Houseplants – African Violets (Saintpaulia)
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African Violets (botanical name: Saintpaulia) are well-known indoor plants that are grown in many homes. Learn how easy it really is.
I love growing houseplants not only because they bring beauty to my home but because they boost my mood, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants, which make for a healthier, happier you. Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make us feel good too!
I also hear this all the time. I don’t have a green thumb. Folks, everyone has a green thumb in one way or another. That’s why I started this series on easy home plants to grow.
I will share my ups and downs with my favorite houseplants with tips and tricks of the trade so that you can grow your own beautiful houseplants. The best part is that you can pass these plants down to others, too.
African Violets have been part of my life for many years now. I’ve had over 20 at one time, and I’ve had only a couple of plants growing at a time. So many varieties and bloom colors to choose from. I couldn’t wait to write a post about these beautiful plants, and I hope you learn to love them as much as I have. My favorite is a trailing AV (picture above), a prolific bloomer that is so easy to propagate with tons of delicate purple blooms.
So, let’s get our hands dirty!
history
African violets, scientifically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, were discovered in 1892 by Baron Walter von Saint Paul-Illaire in the Usambara Mountains of East Africa, and their genus name honors him. They gained popularity as houseplants after being introduced to Europe and the United States, with commercial hybrids emerging in the 1920s. Since then, hundreds of cultivars have been developed with a wide variety of flower and leaf colors, shapes, and sizes.
African Violets are among the most beloved houseplants that are admired for their delicate, velvety blooms and lush foliage. These charming plants can thrive indoors with proper care, making them an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. While they have a reputation for being finicky, understanding their basic needs will ensure they flourish in your home.
Light
Light is one of the most critical factors for African Violets. I have learned the hard way that they are particular about how much light they receive during the day. They thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, making an east- or north-facing window ideal. If natural light is limited, fluorescent or LED grow lights positioned about 12 inches above the plant can provide the necessary illumination. I have had plants thriving in both east windows and under LED grow lights. Be mindful of excessive direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
watering
Watering is another key aspect of African Violet care. These plants prefer consistently moist but not soggy soil. They don’t like their roots sitting in water. Using room-temperature, filtered water helps prevent root shock and mineral buildup. I will fill my small watering can with tap water and then let it sit out for a few hours. All the chlorine will disappear and become room temperature.
Bottom watering is a popular way to water African Violets by placing the pot in a shallow pot saucer and allowing it to absorb moisture through drainage holes. This method helps prevent water spots on the leaves, which are prone to damage if splashed.
temperature
Proper humidity and temperature are also important. African Violets prefer temperatures between 65-75°F and thrive in a humidity level of around 50%. If the air in your home is too dry, using a pebble tray or a small humidifier can help maintain optimal moisture levels.
Since I keep my AV’s out in our enclosed lanai, summer time will cause them to stop blooming and go a bit dormant because of the heat. I just don’t water them as much then. When the temps cool down for fall and winter, they thrive and start blooming again.
Soil and repotting
Choosing the right soil and potting method will further ensure healthy growth. A well-draining, loose potting mix specifically designed for African Violets is best. Standard potting soil can be too dense and retain excess moisture, leading to root rot. Self-watering pots or ones with good drainage are great choices.
When is it time to repot? When the soil is starting to look bad, is old, the plant is getting leggy, or the plant has grown too big for the pot. I think the rule of thumb is to repot them once a year. There are varieties of AV’s that will put out baby plants, and these are easy to divide and repot. If your AV has become very leggy, repot and place the leggy part in the dirt. New roots will grow from that.
Feeding
Feeding your African Violets with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated for African Violets houseplants will promote vibrant flowers. Fertilizing every two to four weeks during the growing season encourages consistent blooms, but be careful not to over-fertilize, as it can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers. I don’t ferterlize in the summertime when it’s the hottest.
propagating
African Violets are by far one of the easiest plants to propagate. It is a bit of a waiting game, but it is so worth it. Especially if your plant is really old and you want to revive it with a new plant.
First, select a healthy, mature leaf from the middle of the plant—one that is firm, free from blemishes, and not too old or too young. Using a sterile, sharp knife or scissors, cut the leaf at a 45-degree angle, leaving about 1 to 1.5 inches of the leaf stem. A clean cut helps prevent rot and encourages better root development.
Place the leaf in African Violet soil with a little bit of perlite mixed in it in a small pot or starter trays with lids. Insert the cut end of the stem about half an inch into the soil at a slight angle, which allows more space for new growth. Lightly press the soil around the base to provide stability. If propagating multiple leaves, space them at least an inch apart. I usually plant more than one leaf at a time to give me better odds that a plant will emerge.
To encourage rooting, maintain a warm and humid environment. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or the starter tray’s lid to retain moisture. Be sure to keep the setup in bright, indirect light and at a temperature as you do with mature plants. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can cause excessive moisture loss.
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, as excess water can cause rot. Within three to six weeks, tiny plantlets will begin to emerge from the base of the leaf cutting. Once the baby plants have at least three to four leaves of their own, they can be gently separated from the mother leaf and transplanted into their own pots.
Pests and diseases
African violets can be affected by common pests and diseases. Those include spider mites, mealy bugs, and cyclamen mites, which, once noticed, can be taken care of with neem oil or an insecticide.
Diseases include fungi such as botrytis blight, crown rot, and root rot. To help avoid these diseases, don’t overwater your plant, and provide it with the proper lighting, fertilization, and air circulation. I am so guilty of overwatering and have lost a few plants from it. I now use a soil moisture tester to let me know when it’s time to water.
In all my years of having AV’s, I’ve never had issues with pests or diseases.
blooming
These plants can bloom year-round when healthy and start blooming and flowering for longer periods of time when they begin to fill their pots but are not yet root-bound. If the temperature changes, this will cause them not to bloom. Such as much hotter temps.
When the flowers are spent, make sure to deadhead them, as this will encourage the plant to flower more. You should see new blooms in about six weeks.
Types of African Violets
There are so many types, colors, and varieties of AV’s. My suggestion for a first-time AV grower would be to get the common store-bought purple/blue version or start from a leaf someone has given you.
Colors consist of red, white, purple, pink, and lavender. There are also variegated and speckled varieties.
Leaf shapes consist of Plain, Ruffled, Fringed, Scalloped, Spooned, Pointed, Variegated, Heart-shaped, and Serrated.
Flower types consist of Single, Double, Semi-double, Star-shaped, Fringed, Ruffled, Bell, and Wasp.
Several sizes are also offered, such as mini, semi-mini, standard, and large. There are also trailing AV’s.
With patience and attention to these key care tips, African Violets can reward you with stunning blooms year-round. Whether placed on a windowsill or incorporated into a plant display, these delicate flowers add beauty and charm to any indoor space.
frequently asked questions
African violets can be hard to care for initially, as they can be quite particular about their environment, but are easy enough for beginners once you understand their needs and have patience with them.
With the proper care and maintenance, African violets can live for around 20 years and as long as 50 years.
African violet leaves are fuzzy and don’t like to have water on them, but like all plants, the leaves get dusty and dirty. Simply brush them off gently with a soft-bristled brush.
Misting African violets is not a good idea. While these plants like humidity, misting doesn’t do much to raise humidity in the air and can damage African violet leaves. Move African violets to a more humid part of your home.
If you have any garden questions or have found a great new plant to grow, let us know about it. Gardening is learning from others, and sharing new ideas really helps me with future posts to pass along to you.
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I tried to grow houseplants a few times but I failed every single time. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, it might be the lack of indirect light, I am honestly not sure. I will try to grow African Violets, I am so excited about it.
I am soooo glad I found this! I love African violets, and until now, that was detrimental to their longevity. LOL. I have killed so many, but not anymore!
I have always known that these are such a beautiful flower. Thanks for the reminder! I think it’s really cool there. Easy to grow inside the home.
All of these flowers are so beautiful, and a perfect fit for my garden. My sister has African Violets in her garden, and they are so vibrant!
We have a giant window that I want to put hanging plants in, that are in direct sunlight! I tried a few types of different vines, but they’ve died due to the direct sunlight. Maybe I should ditch hanging plants and go for these African Violets – glad I am not the only one struggling with light and plants.