African Violet Care

Saintpaulia spp.

A popular flowering houseplant that likes bright but indirect light, high humidity and well-drained soil. Wetting the leaves should be avoided and bottom watering, the best method, is preferred; regular feeding is needed for continuous flowering.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 10 °C / 50 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January

Watering: When the soil dries slightly, water from below (about every 10-14 days), using room-temperature water.
Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
Pruning: Remove only faded flowers and yellowing leaves.
Plant protection: Check for mealybugs and powdery mildew (stagnant air creates risk).
General care: Flowering begins.
Pests & diseases: Water collecting in the plant's centre (crown) causes rot, so never water from above.
Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

February

Watering: Increase the watering frequency slightly; the soil should stay lightly moist.
Fertilizing: Toward the end of the month, begin giving a highly diluted (1/4 strength) African violet fertilizer. Do not overfeed.
Pruning: Remove the old, lifeless outer leaves.
Plant protection: Carry out general pest control.
General care: Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: If the growing point at the centre of the plant is cramped and deformed, cyclamen mite may be the cause.
Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

March

Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers and their stalks.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

April

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
Fertilizing: Continue regular feeding with diluted fertilizer; do not overapply.
Pruning: Continuously remove spent flowers and old leaves.
Plant protection: If powdery mildew (white powdery coating on the leaves) appears, improve air circulation and use a fungicide if necessary.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: Yellow spots on the leaves are usually caused by cold water splashing on them.

May

Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during the first year; its root system is still shallow.
Fertilizing: Continue regular feeding with diluted fertilizer; do not overapply.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering. Regularly remove spent flower stalks and yellowing leaves. For leaf propagation, healthy leaves are detached. To control size, overgrown leaves are removed.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
Pests & diseases: Check branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects). If you see black spots with yellow halos on leaves (leaf spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.

June

Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.

July

Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
Fertilizing: Continue regular feeding, but do not overfeed.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
General care: Flowering continues. Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.

August

Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
Fertilizing: Continue regular feeding, but do not overfeed.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
General care: Flowering continues.
Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.

September

Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface. Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during the first year; its root system is still shallow.
Fertilizing: Reduce feeding frequency (diluted dose every 2 weeks). Do not overfeed.
Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
Frost risk: When night temperatures begin to fall, keep the plant away from open windows.

October

Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
Fertilizing: Reduce fertilizing to once a month or stop completely.
Pruning: Only clean up.
General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering continues.
Frost risk: Protect it from cold drafts.

November

Watering: This is the minimum watering period; let the soil dry out lightly (once every 14-21 days).
Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
Pruning: Only clean up.
Plant protection: In dry indoor air, watch out for powdery mildew and mealybugs.
General care: Flowering continues. Make sure water does not collect in the root zone during winter rains; for this plant, drainage is more critical than watering.
Pests & diseases: Take care not to let water collect in the plant's crown.
Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

December

Watering: Keep the watering frequency very low (1-2 times a month).
Fertilizing: Do not fertilize.
Pruning: Only clean up.
Plant protection: Continue pest control.
General care: Flowering continues. Evergreen leaves keep losing water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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