How much sunlight does an African violet need?
Set the bulbs about 12″ to 15″ above the tops of the plants, depending on the strength of the bulbs and size of the plants. Use a timer set to 14 hours of light and 10 hours of dark each day. Tip: African violets must have at least eight hours of darkness daily to produce flowers.
Can African violets grow in low light?
When they get ample indirect light, African violets grow well, stay healthy and produce abundant flowers. In too little light, they will have few or no flowers and will have leaves that become darker green and thin with long, weak stems. African violets are easily grown under artificial lights.
Can African violets grow in shade?
They are low-growing plants, thriving in the shade of other vegetation. In their native environments, direct light never touches their leaves. Your African violets will do best in an environment that mimics this. Provide bright light, but never direct sun.
How often do you water an African violet?
An important point to remember when bottom watering African Violet plants is to top water at least once a month. This way you are flushing out any extra fertilizer salt build up and refreshing the soil/roots from the top too.
Do African violets like to be misted?
Most houseplants–except for fuzzy-leaved ones like African violets–like regular misting. Misters found at the nursery are generally best to use, because they can be adjusted according to the mist requirements of each plant. Some plants want a very fine mist while others like to be more wet.
Do you deadhead African violets?
Deadheading. If you have success getting your African Violet to bloom, be sure to pinch or deadhead spent blooms. This allows the plant to continue to put energy into creating more buds/blooms and beautiful foliage.
Where do violets naturally grow?
Wild violets are native to many areas throughout (central and eastern) Canada and the US. Although they are located in Europe, they are not as common as they are in Canada and the US. There are wild violets in Australia as well.