Easy to Grow Plants - Small or Tabletop - African VioletAfrican Violet - Saintpaulia African Violets, although very well known to most people and probably one of the most popular flowering houseplants, are for some reason considered very difficult to grow. This is not true at all. Follow the guidelines below and you are sure to be very proud of yourself and you will have a great table top plant that will provide beautiful flowers all year. Temperature & Humidity These beautiful plants love warm temperatures. Day time temperature 75F or more and night time not lower than 65F. Do not place these plants where they may get a cold draft. A chill will definitely kill the African Violet. They prefer high humidity but average should be fine provided you follow the watering schedule. Do not mist these plants - this is true for all plants with fuzzy or hairy leaves. Bright indirect light is best - which means place it near an east or west facing window. If you must place near a north facing window or no where near a window, use artificial light for about 16 hours a day. If you have no choice but to place it near a southern facing window, shelter it with some lacy curtains. Not providing sufficient light will result in the leaves to reach up instead of out horizontally as they are meant to, If this happens react quickly and move the pot. You can still save it. Water The correct approach to watering is key to a healthy African Violet. The soil must never dry out and you must never use cold water. Cold water will cause permanent ugly white spots on the leaves. Water at least four times a week or every other day. You can bottom water but leave the water in the saucer for under 8 hours. Fertilize once a month with diluted house plant or African Violet fertilizer. You can clean the plant using the techniques for small plant cleaning. African Violets will flower all year long and give you the added color accent in your room if you just give it this simple care. This plant does have growth spurts where it will be covered with flowers but during other times it may have only a few. Don't fret this is normal. But if you see no flowers for a period of time, chances are insufficient light of a cold draft are the culprit. |