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African Violets

Caring for your African violets

photo by Cheryl

With their delicate white, pink, or purple blooms, African violets are some of the prettiest houseplants. With the right care, an African violet should bloom at least once or twice a year. Most varieties are capable of blooming almost continuously when they have the correct soil, water, light, and food. This topic is your guide to keeping your African violets alive and blooming.

Houseplants: How to care for African violets

by Frances Stanford

The African violet is the ideal houseplant for those who love to have plants inside yet don’t have a lot of time to care for them. There is a wide variety of colors and there are some varieties ...More>
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The facts about African violets

by Gabriella Martin

African violets are always one of the shining stars in any gardening section of your local store. Many people look at these plants and think that they must be difficult to grow. Nothing could be furth...More>
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Growing African violets

by Mouse

A beautiful, basic, starter houseplant is the African Violet. For those who aren't too good with names, it basically looks like a furrier leaved, less wrinkled version of a Primrose or Primula (leaves...More>
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Plant folklore: The mythology of the African Violet

by Juliannah Jamarin

It is a popular myth that African Violets are hard to grow. Well intentioned people purchase the flowers with dreams of raising the beautiful, delicate flowers. Some are disappointed when the little f...More>
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Best houseplants that produce flowers

by Susan Klatz Beal

Flowers add so much to a home. In the dead of winter, nothing will make a person smile more than the sight of a flowering plant inside their home - especially if they gaze outside upon a sea of snow. ...More>
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Growing plants from cuttings

by Teresa Cox

During my thirty years as a gardener, I have found that there are some plants that are easy to propagate, and then there are some that need a little more care. Tomato plants were the first plants that...More>
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Things you may need for your African violets

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Quick facts

African violet leaves do not enjoy getting wet! When watering your African violets, avoid getting water on the leaves.
Overwatering is the biggest threat to African Violate health. Water them only when the soil has gone dry.
African violets need special potting soil that has good drainage and is acidic.
When fertilizing your African violets, use a fertilizer that is forumulated for acid-loving plants, and follow the instructions on the container. You can buy special African Violet food, too.
African violets will survive indefinitely in low light but need bright light in order to bloom. Try placing your African violets near a window or supplementing with a grow light.
African violets will only bloom when pot bound. Be sure that the pot you choose for your African Violet is small enough.

African violet care tips from Purdue University
Propagating African violets
HGTV explains how to increase your plant collection for free by propagating your African violets.
African violet diseases
Expert Joyce Stork explains some of the diseases that can harm your African violets.