Things You'll Need:
- African Violets
- African Violet soil
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Step 1
African violets do best when the temperature is between 60 and 76 degrees. Putting them in windows that face the east or north in the summer and facing the south in the winter seems to work best. Shade the plants from direct sun. If they do not get enough light the stalks become long and the leaves are soft with very few flowers and if the light is too strong then they yellow and droop.
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Step 2
African violets like to be where the air is humid, but the soil only moist to the touch. A humidifier can be used to add extra moisture to the air, or you can set the pots in a shallow pan with pebbles that is filled with water only to cover the pebbles. Only water your African violets when the soil is no longer moist to touch.
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Step 3
Unlike many other house plants, African violets seem to bloom better when their roots are crowded so do not rush to repot them. Repotting should be done only after 1/3 or more of the leaves go past the rim of the pot. Then transfer them to a pot that is a size larger. You should only use African violet soil that you have purchased at a nursery or soil that you have mixed using 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 garden soil and 1/3 perlite.
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Step 4
It is easy to grow new plants from leaf cuttings. Look for healthy leaves and keep 1 to 2 inches of stem. Stick the stem in the soil but make sure that the leaf does not touch the soil. Keep it moist. It takes between 6 and 6 weeks for you to see new leaves appear and then it is time to transplant the cuttings to their own pots. Remember that they are still very fragile so cover them with a plastic bag and put holes in the bag for air and make sure that they are warm and shaded for about three more weeks.
