African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. The care numbers below come from the plant data used for this guide.
African Violet is a compact, low rosette that flowers almost year-round in the right spot, with soft, velvety, rounded leaves in a low rosette, often with a scalloped edge. A classic windowsill plant - velvety leaves in a neat rosette and clusters of purple, pink, white or blue flowers that can appear in almost any month of the year. Once you understand what it wants - and, just as importantly, what it does not want - it is a straightforward plant to keep looking good for years.
African Violet at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Saintpaulia ionantha |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | weekly; keep soil lightly moist |
| Humidity | moderate to high |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 1–2 years |
| Pet safety | non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your african violet bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is usually ideal - bright enough to encourage flowers, gentle enough not to scorch the leaves. Harsh midday sun through a south-facing window can burn the foliage, while too little light gives plenty of leaves and no flowers at all. If the plant stops flowering, light is the first thing to check. Our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Check the soil with a finger before you water: if the top is still damp, wait; if it is dry, water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let the excess drain away completely and empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water. Water less in winter, when growth slows, and more in summer, when the plant is actively growing and flowering. Our watering calculator can help you work out a starting routine for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can turn it into a plan you can follow.
Humidity and temperature
African Violet prefers moderate to high humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Most homes sit within that temperature range for most of the year, so temperature is rarely a problem indoors - the things to watch are cold draughts in winter, radiators that dry the air, and cold windows that chill the leaves overnight. Keep the plant away from all three. In a heated home in winter the air can be much drier than this plant likes, and the first sign is usually brown, crispy leaf edges or tips. A pebble tray under the pot, grouping plants together, or a small humidifier all raise the humidity around the plant. Misting does very little - the water evaporates in minutes. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil and potting
Use a light, loose mix with extra perlite, in a small pot - African violets flower best when slightly pot-bound. A pot with drainage holes is not optional - without one, water has nowhere to go and root rot follows. Fresh mix every year or two keeps the soil from compacting and gives the roots air as well as water. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes or pushing out of the top of the pot. Move up only one pot size - a pot that is too big holds wet mix the roots cannot use - and repot in spring, when the plant is about to grow. Fresh mix gives the roots a new supply of air and nutrients. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, and do not feed in autumn and winter when the plant is barely growing. Flowering plants use more nutrients than foliage plants, so regular light feeding through the growing season supports more blooms - but always follow the label, because excess salts burn the roots and show up as brown leaf tips.
Propagation
African Violet is propagated by leaf cuttings. Take a healthy leaf with its stalk in spring and root it in moist mix or water. Plantlets form at the base of the stalk within a few weeks, and each leaf can produce several new plants.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow leaves | overwatering | Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering. |
| Brown leaf tips | low humidity | Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean. |
| No blooms | too little light or plant resting | Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering. |
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering.
Brown leaf tips
Likely cause: low humidity. Raise the humidity and flush the soil or bark with plain water to wash out fertiliser salts. Damaged tips will not heal, but new growth should come out clean.
No blooms
Likely cause: too little light or plant resting. Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water african violet?
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when it is time and let the excess drain away completely.
How much light does african violet need?
It needs bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives weak, stretched growth, while harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
Is african violet safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, african violet is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes it a good choice for homes with pets. It is still best not to let pets chew it, as any plant material can upset a stomach.
When should I repot african violet?
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh mix, and repot in spring.
Why is my african violet not flowering?
With enough light it can flower for most of the year. Remove spent flower stalks to encourage new ones, and keep the crown dry - water on the leaves leaves pale spots that do not go away. The most common reason for no flowers is too little light - move the plant to a brighter spot and give it time.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, and try the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.