African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are easy to grow flowering house plants. Modern day varieties sold at supermarkets and plant shops often bloom 8-9 months a year.

Lighting needs are minimal, either from indirect sunlight from an east-facing window or under special “grow lights” 12 hours daily. African violets prefer water at room temperature (65-75 °F). Fill your watering container several days prior to watering to evaporate off fluorides and chlorides in the water.

Common problems with African violets are overwatering and fertilizer scheduling. Feed violets twice monthly, November thru February, with any brand “house plant” fertilizer. Use 1/2 the amount recommended on the package added to water. From March thru October, feed 3-4 times monthly with 1/2 rate solution. You must feed plants without burning roots with fertilizer salts. Once each month leach pots thoroughly, watering pots from above. Repot all plants once a year, generally in early autumn.

Water all plants at same time and never leave pots standing in water more than 1 hour. For old or large plants, a second watering may be occasionally needed as the roots fill the pot and need more. In general, interval between waterings may be 5-6 days. Waterlogged plants are an indicator of poor roots or bug infestations.

Check for mealy bugs. They often start out looking like debris (dust or soil) over the leaf surfaces and petioles. A mealy bug outbreak can build quickly. Applying rubbing alcohol to individual bugs with a cotton swab every 3-4 days should clean up an infestation within a month. Insecticidal soap, applied every 3-4 days, is also effective.