African violet
Never let water sit on the leaves or in the central crown — this is the single most common way this genus is killed, and it's also why a small, snug pot and bottom-watering both work in this plant's favour.
Care
An east- or north-facing windowsill is ideal; too much direct sun scorches the fuzzy leaves.
Water from below (stand in water briefly then drain) or carefully around the base, avoiding wetting the fuzzy leaves and crown, which causes rot and unsightly leaf spotting.
Specialist free-draining African violet compost, or a peat-free houseplant mix with extra perlite.
Remove faded flower stalks and any damaged outer leaves at the base; keep to a single rosette by removing side-shoots ('suckers') if a tidy single crown is wanted.
A specific African violet feed at quarter strength with most waterings through the growing season, applied from below. Water and feed on the leaves leave permanent pale rings.
Leaf cuttings are the classic method: take a healthy mid-age leaf with 3-4cm of stalk, push the stalk into damp compost at an angle, and keep it covered and warm. Plantlets appear at the base in a couple of months.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchStart a dilute, balanced feed formulated for flowering houseplants as light increases. how ›
- JuneRotate the pot regularly, as it grows towards the light, to keep the rosette even. how ›
- OctoberReduce feeding as light drops into autumn/winter, though flowering often continues. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchStart a dilute, balanced feed formulated for flowering houseplants as light increases. how ›
- JuneRotate the pot regularly, as it grows towards the light, to keep the rosette even. how ›
- OctoberReduce feeding as light drops into autumn/winter, though flowering often continues. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchStart a dilute, balanced feed formulated for flowering houseplants as light increases. how ›
- JuneRotate the pot regularly, as it grows towards the light, to keep the rosette even. how ›
- OctoberReduce feeding as light drops into autumn/winter, though flowering often continues. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchStart a dilute, balanced feed formulated for flowering houseplants as light increases. how ›
- JuneRotate the pot regularly, as it grows towards the light, to keep the rosette even. how ›
- OctoberReduce feeding as light drops into autumn/winter, though flowering often continues. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Brown, mushy patches at the centre of the rosette, or water-marked leaves.
What to do. Water from below or carefully at the base, never over the top of the plant.
How to spot it. Bleached or brown blotches on leaves.
What to do. From direct sun or cold water — move out of direct sun and use room-temperature water.
How to spot it. Healthy leaves but no flowers.
What to do. Usually insufficient light — move to a brighter spot out of direct sun; a too-large pot, which encourages leaves over flowers, is another common cause.
Questions
African violet: is it hardy?
H1a: True houseplant, needs above 15°C. It survives heated glasshouse.
Can it grow in a pot?
Actually flowers best when quite pot-bound in a small pot.
African violet: when do you prune it?
Remove faded flower stalks and any damaged outer leaves at the base; keep to a single rosette by removing side-shoots ('suckers') if a tidy single crown is wanted.
African violet: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in January–December.
When do you feed it?
A specific African violet feed at quarter strength with most waterings through the growing season, applied from below. Water and feed on the leaves leave permanent pale rings. Feeding months, UK: March–September.