Plant Encyclopedia
African Violet (Saintpaulia) plant care guide
intermediateflower

African Violet Care Guide

Saintpaulia

Also known as: Saintpaulia

Watering

Summer

Every 5 days

Winter

Every 8 days

Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

Light

Medium indirect

A few feet from a window, or north-facing

Humidity

50-60%

Average home humidity is fine.

Pet & Child Safety

Safe for pets and children

Pot & Soil

Needs a small, shallow pot - African violet self-watering pots are ideal. Use specific AV potting mix.

Pot-size watering

The 5-8 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy.

Shallow roots

This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long.

Soil refresh

Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

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Good to Know

Water from below - wet leaves get brown spots. Blooms constantly with right light.

Frequently asked

How often should I water African Violet?

Every 5 days in summer and every 8 days in winter is the reference range. The 5-8 day range is a starting point. A 5cm pot can need checking much sooner, while a 22cm pot may stay moist for longer. Keep the soil lightly moist, but check below the surface so a large pot is not staying soggy. Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. These plants hate drying out completely.

What light does African Violet need?

Medium indirect. A few feet from a window, or north-facing.

Is African Violet safe for pets and children?

Yes - African Violet is safe for pets and children.

What humidity does African Violet prefer?

50-60%. Average home humidity is fine.

What soil and pot does African Violet need?

Needs a small, shallow pot - African violet self-watering pots are ideal. Use specific AV potting mix. This plant is better matched to a shallow or wide pot than a deep one. Deep wet soil below the root zone can stay damp too long. Refresh tired or compacted soil yearly, because moisture-loving plants still need air around the roots, not dense wet mix.

Is African Violet beginner-friendly?

African Violet is a flower at intermediate difficulty - manageable with a bit of care attention.

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