African violets are known for their charming, colorful blooms and fuzzy leaves. But when those blooms fade and don’t return, it can be frustrating. Luckily, with the right care and a few adjustments, you can get your African violet to bloom again and even keep it blooming year-round. Let’s go over exactly what you need to do to encourage those beautiful flowers to return.
Check the Light Conditions
The first and most common reason African violets stop blooming is poor lighting. These plants love bright, indirect light. If your violet is not getting enough light, it will focus on growing leaves instead of producing flowers.
Place your African violet near a north- or east-facing window where it can get bright but gentle light. If you only have west- or south-facing windows, move the plant a few feet away from the window or use a sheer curtain to filter the sunlight. Harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves.
If you don’t have enough natural light, consider using a grow light. Position the light about 12 inches above the plant and keep it on for 12 to 14 hours a day. A lack of light will quickly lead to a lack of blooms, but too much can cause leaf curling, so finding a balance is important.
Maintain Consistent Watering
Overwatering or underwatering can stress your plant and prevent blooming. African violets prefer soil that stays slightly moist but never soggy. Let the top inch of the soil dry out before watering again.
Use room-temperature water and avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can cause brown spots. Bottom watering works well. Place your pot in a saucer of water and let the plant soak for about 30 minutes. Then remove it from the saucer and allow any excess water to drain. In my self watering African Violet pots and water-wicking pots I top off the water weekly.
If the leaves appear limp or yellowing, check your watering routine. African violets are sensitive to both drought and overly wet roots. Proper watering helps support the energy needed to produce new buds.
Feed Regularly with the Right Fertilizer
Nutrients play a big role in bloom production. African violets need regular feeding, especially when you want them to rebloom. Choose a balanced African violet fertilizer, such as one with an equal ratio like 14-12-14, or a bloom-boosting option with higher phosphorus.
Schultz African Violet Plus is a great option, and you only need a few drops in your watering can. Feed every 2 to 4 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can damage roots and reduce flowering. If you’re using wicking or self-watering systems, choose a fertilizer that is safe for constant feeding at a diluted strength.
A plant that isn’t getting enough nutrients may grow slowly and produce no flowers, even in perfect light. Keeping up with regular, gentle feeding will fuel the blooming cycle.
Repot When Needed
Over time, the soil in your African violet pot loses its ability to hold nutrients and drains poorly. Old soil can compact around the roots, limiting air and water flow. If your plant hasn’t bloomed in months and hasn’t been repotted in over a year, it’s time for fresh soil.
Use a light, well-draining mix made for African violets. You can buy a commercial blend or mix your own with two parts peat moss, one part perlite, and one part vermiculite or mix of equal parts of peat moss and perlite. Avoid heavy garden soil or standard potting mix, which retains too much moisture.
Repot your plant gently, removing old soil and trimming off any damaged roots. This refreshes the plant and stimulates new growth, which can lead to blooming.
Use the Right Size Pot
African violets bloom best when their roots are slightly snug in the pot. A pot that’s too large can cause the plant to focus on root development instead of flowering. Most African violets do best in pots that are one-third the diameter of the leaf spread. For example, if the plant is 9 inches wide, use a 3-inch pot.
Self-watering pots work well for violets, especially if they come with a wick system and an inner and outer container. Terra cotta can dry out too quickly, while plastic or glazed ceramic helps keep the moisture more stable.
Repot into the correct size every 6 to 12 months. This keeps the plant healthy and encourages consistent blooming.
Remove Spent Blooms and Old Leaves
Deadheading is essential if you want your plant to bloom again. Remove faded flowers by pinching them off close to the base of the stem. This tells the plant to stop focusing on old flowers and start producing new buds.
Also, trim away yellowed or damaged leaves. Keeping the plant tidy improves airflow and encourages growth where it matters most. Clean pruning shears or even your fingers can do the job—just be sure not to damage healthy parts of the plant.
This small act of cleanup helps keep energy flowing to new blooms.
Keep the Temperature Just Right
African violets prefer a consistent temperature between 65°F and 75°F. They don’t like sudden changes in temperature or cold drafts. If the room is too cold at night or too hot during the day, your plant may stop blooming.
Avoid placing your plant near heaters, air conditioners, or open windows during cold weather. Also, don’t leave it in a car or garage during winter. African violets are tropical plants and need a steady, warm environment to stay in bloom.
If you keep the temperature comfortable for yourself, it’s likely just right for your African violet too.
Provide High Humidity
While African violets don’t need extreme humidity, they do thrive in environments with 40% to 60% humidity. If your home is dry, especially in winter, add some humidity to encourage flowering.
You can use a humidity tray filled with water and pebbles, place a small humidifier nearby, or group your African violet with other houseplants to create a microclimate. Avoid misting, though, since water on the leaves can cause spots.
A boost in humidity can help your plant push out new buds, especially if it has already been meeting other care requirements. This hygrometer is perfect for monitoring your humidity levels.
Rotate the Plant Regularly
If your African violet leans to one side or grows unevenly, it might not be getting equal light. This can affect blooming, especially if only one side is getting enough energy.
To fix this, rotate the plant a quarter-turn every week. This helps it grow symmetrically and encourages more balanced flowering all over the plant. Without rotation, one side may stay green and leafy while the other side blooms—or neither side may bloom at all.
Regular rotation ensures all parts of the plant receive equal lighting and growth opportunity.
Watch for Pests and Disease
Pests like mealybugs, thrips, or spider mites can sap energy from your African violet and halt blooming. Thrips are especially known for damaging flowers and buds before they even open. Powdery mildew or root rot can also prevent your plant from producing new blooms.
Inspect your plant weekly for signs of bugs or discoloration. Remove any pests by wiping leaves with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water or neem oil. For severe infestations, use an insecticidal soap that’s safe for indoor plants.
Keeping your plant healthy and pest-free ensures that all its energy goes toward flowering.
Give It Time and Patience
Even when you do everything right, sometimes African violets just need a little time. If your plant recently finished blooming, it may be in a rest period. This is normal and doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
Continue providing proper light, water, fertilizer, and care. Before long, you’ll likely notice a cluster of tiny buds forming in the center rosette of the plant. When you see those, it means the blooms are on the way.
Stay consistent and don’t change too many things at once. Violets like stability, and with the right attention, they’ll reward you with blooms again.
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