How to Grow African Violet
Streptocarpus sect. Saintpaulia
African violets thrive in bright indirect light with consistently warm temperatures above 15°C. Water from below to keep the velvety leaves dry, and use a specialist fertiliser every two weeks during flowering. Compact rosette plants ideal for windowsills, they bloom almost continuously when happy. The key tip is to never let cold water touch the leaves — it causes permanent brown spots.
In your Leaftide garden 
- Height
- 15 cm
- Spread
- 20 cm
- Flowers
- March - April
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Water
- Moderate
- Feed
- Fortnightly feed with specialist fertiliser during flowering
- Prune
- Deadhead spent flowers and remove damaged leaves
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed every two weeks with a specialist African violet fertiliser during the flowering period. Avoid overfeeding in winter when growth slows.
Watch For
- Powdery mildew
- Crown rot from overwatering
- Mealybug
- Cyclamen mite
- Root rot
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light; no direct sun
Place on a north- or east-facing windowsill for bright, diffused light throughout the day. Avoid south- or west-facing windows in summer — direct sun bleaches and scorches the velvety leaves. If natural light is limited, a grow light on a 12-hour timer works well.
Watering
Water from below with tepid water
Set the pot in a saucer of room-temperature water for 20–30 minutes, then remove and allow excess to drain. Never let the pot stand in water permanently. Water when the top of the compost feels just dry. Cold water splashed on leaves causes permanent brown spots.
Fertilizing
Fortnightly feed with specialist fertiliser during flowering
Use a balanced or high-phosphorus liquid fertiliser formulated for African violets every two weeks while the plant is in active growth and flower. Reduce to monthly in winter. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage lush foliage at the expense of blooms.
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers and remove damaged leaves
Pinch off entire flower stalks at the base once blooms fade — do not leave stubs. Remove any yellowing, damaged, or crowded outer leaves to keep the rosette tidy and improve air circulation. Do not cut healthy foliage unnecessarily.
Humidity
Moderate humidity; avoid misting the leaves
African violets prefer 40–60% relative humidity. Do not mist the foliage — water droplets cause brown spots and fungal disease. To raise humidity, place the pot on a tray of damp pebbles, keeping the base of the pot above the water line, or group plants together.
Growing Tips
Water from below
Set the pot in a saucer of tepid water and let it soak for 30 minutes, then remove it. Cold water splashed on the leaves causes permanent brown spots that never heal.
Bright indirect light only
A north- or east-facing windowsill is ideal. Direct sun bleaches and scorches the velvety leaves; move the plant back from the glass in summer.
Remove dead flowers promptly
Deadheading encourages continuous blooming. Pinch off the whole flower stalk at its base rather than just the spent bloom to keep the plant tidy and productive.
Repot when rootbound
Repot in spring into a pot only slightly larger than the current one. African violets actually bloom better when slightly rootbound — avoid over-potting.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Mealybugs
Identification: Small white cottony insects that cluster in leaf axils and under leaves. They secrete honeydew, causing yellowing and a sticky residue.
- Remove with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Follow up with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Pest Cyclamen Mite
Identification: Microscopic mites that distort new growth, causing stunted, curled, brittle centre leaves and distorted flower buds.
- Isolate affected plants immediately to prevent spread.
- Heavily infested plants are best discarded.
- Treat with a miticide if caught early.
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: A white powdery fungal coating on leaves, usually caused by poor air circulation and high humidity with cool nights.
Treatment: Treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray or a fungicide labelled for houseplants.
Prevention: Improve ventilation and avoid misting the foliage.
Disease Crown Rot
Symptoms: The central crown turns mushy and collapses, caused by water pooling at the base of the leaves, typically from top-watering or overwatering.
Treatment: Remove any affected plant material and let the crown dry out. Severe cases are usually fatal.
Prevention: Always water from below and keep the crown dry.