African violets are the perfect houseguest—they’re well-behaved, bloom several times a year, and come dressed-to-impress in an array of stunning foliage. Their signature rosette of thick, fuzzy leaves creates the perfect backdrop for their delicate, violet-like flowers that hover just above their leaves like tiny butterflies.
Don’t let their reputation for being high-maintenance deter you. «African violets are the darlings of all houseplants,» says luxury garden designer and co-founder of Garden Girls, Jen McDonald, who clearly knows what’s up. And she’s right—these little powerhouses can keep blooming for decades while remaining perfectly-sized for your windowsill.
Sure, they have some preferences (don’t we all?), but once you crack their code, it’s smooth sailing from there. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for an African violet plant.
Where Do African Violets Come From?
Despite their common name, these charming plants aren’t true violets at all. They belong to the gesneriad family and hail from the tropical regions of East Africa. Their natural habitat provides important clues about their care preferences—they thrive in warm, humid conditions that mirror their native environment.
How Much Sunlight Do African Violets Need?
These plants are a bit particular about their lighting. “Position them near a north or east-facing window where the light is softer and more diffused,” advises Jennifer Cassels, president of The Blissful Place. If your leaves start turning light green, that’s your plant’s way of saying it’s getting too much light, while thin, dark leaves signal it’s needing more.
How Often Should You Water African Violets?
When it comes to watering, African violets are not overly thirsty, and they definitely do not like wet leaves. McDonald offers this practical tip: “The best way to test whether you have a thirsty plant or not is to stick your pinky into the soil an inch or two below the surface. It should feel damp even if the top of the soil appears dry.” Typically, this is about once a week. Bottom-watering is a preferred technique that mimics how they absorb water in their native environment, allowing the plants to drink up water through drainage holes while keeping those sensitive leaves dry.
Pro Tip: Place your African violet pot with drainage holes in a shallow tray or saucer with a small amount of room-temperature water. The pot will slowly draw up moisture through the holes, allowing the roots to absorb exactly what they need. Remove the plant from the water source after about 20 to 30 minutes to prevent waterlogging.
What Kind of Soil Do African Violets Need?
Your African violet deserves a custom blend. The ideal mix consists of equal parts vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss. This light, fluffy consistency provides perfect aeration while maintaining just the right moisture balance. “Avoid dense soils, as they can hold too much water and cause root rot,” Cassels tells us.
Do African Violets Need Fertilizer?
Feed these bloomers with specialized African violet fertilizer every other week during spring and summer—a little pampering goes a long way toward maintaining those gorgeous blooms.
Averar African Violets Live Plants
Generic 6″ Live Pink African Violet Houseplant
Espoma Organic African Violet Mix 4qt Bag and Violet! Liquid Plant Food
How Often Do African Violets Need to Be Repotted?
Repotting should occur every six to 12 months, but don’t go overboard with pot size. These plants prefer to be slightly snug in their containers. When you do repot, size up just slightly to avoid overwatering issues.
How Do You Guard Against Pests?
Keep those fuzzy leaves clean and inspect them regularly for unwanted visitors like spider mites, mealy bugs, and cyclamen mites. If you spot any pests, treat them with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Can You Propagate an African Violet?
Here’s where these plants really show their generous side. “Perhaps one of the coolest features of African violets is that you can create a new plant from an existing one. Take a leaf cutting, pop it in water or potting soil and you’ll be rewarded with a second plant!” McDonald says. In about 12 weeks, you’ll see baby plants emerging.
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Her eye for emerging styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE Decor’s audience across platforms. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, design, and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
