How to grow African violets

When I was growing up, my grandparents proudly displayed their plastic African violet plant, which sat on their mantelpiece. I regret that I didn’t get the opportunity to encourage them to grow a living violet themselves, as it’s not as difficult a plant to grow, as they may have thought. African violets were incredibly popular houseplants 20 years ago, and for good reason; with so much current interest in houseplants, I am amazed that they’ve not stepped back into the spotlight. Primrose sells a range of African violets that can be delivered to you, so there’s no excuse not to give them a go.

Saintpaulia ionantha, or African violets, are native to tropical Africa and are at home in poorly lit, warm rooms, conditions that are often replicated in our living rooms and bedrooms. They like a well-drained, rich compost as their roots are fibrous and sensitive to overwatering. Westland ericaceous compost is widely available and suitable for potting or repotting African violets, but I’d add 25 per cent horticultural grit to the mix for extra air circulation and drainage. Established African violet plants only need repotting every two or three years as an established root system will help the plant to grow successfully.

African violets need a good amount of indirect light during the summer, but not too much – however, they need as much light as you can give them in the winter. During the spring and summer, an east- or west-facing windowsill is ideal, but during the winter, move your Saintpaulia ionantha to a south-facing windowsill to enable the plant to absorb as much natural light as possible during the winter months.

African violets will hate being overwatered, and avoid water coming into contact with the leaves as this will cause rot and marking on the foliage. You are far more likely to kill a houseplant through overwatering than a lack of moisture.

During the summer, place your African violet in a few centimetres of water in your sink for half an hour once a week, with a dash of seaweed fertiliser in the water. Allow the excess water to drain for a few moments and then place the violet on a tray that is lined with gravel. This process can be reduced to every fortnight in the spring and autumn and once a month during the winter. African violets can be very rewarding – and we can do our best to make plastic violets a thing of the past.