Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 2.0 - 00001288
01/01/98
Type: house plant
Comments: African Violet grows in an east window during winter, but a north window in other seasons. Use any packaged African violet or potting soil and fertilize regularly. Stop fertilizing in winter if plants are not actively growing. Ideal temperatures are 70 to 75 degrees during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night. Flowering is more profuse under long days and the plant grows well under 14 to 16 hours of artificial light per day. African Violet grows well in air conditioned rooms during the summer. Water colder than room temperature, spilled on leaves, causes white blotches. Thin, dark green leaves with long petioles are an indication of inadequate light. Leaf stems or leaves in contact with clay pots may be killed by accumulated salts in the pots. Exposing the plant to bright, direct sun causes leaf scorch.
Propagation: Propagation is by leaf petiole cuttings or by division.