Now that the holiday greenery is out of the house, it is time to take stock of my houseplants. I have decided to make a full inventory of what I have, and decide what needs care or renovation and what might need to be replaced. A few of my houseplants have gone to the compost pile over the last year, some need repotting and some are just looking a little tired.
We have two spider plants that are near 50 years old and seem to be doing great. They are definitely ‘keepers’ and will probably continue to thrive as they are, but could always benefit from repotting; as can the Boston fern which has grown immensely but is still in the 4” pot in which it was purchased. The pothos and Swedish ivy which once were vigorous vines are looking a little spindly and may have to be replaced. My African violet and orchids are the plants that found their way to the compost pile this fall. I am considering new orchids, but I definitely want to replace the African violet. It is one of the easiest house plants to grow and can also be one of the showiest. While older varieties of African violets may only bloom once a year, the newer varieties can bloom off and on all year round – in just about every color except orange, yellow and red – and with little effort on my part.
African violets are native to east Africa and were discovered in Tanzania. The delicate little flowers are what attracted the attention of a visiting baron who sent them home to his native Germany for study. They were grown strictly in conservatories or botanical gardens until they were introduced into the commercial industry in 1926. Since then they have become one of the most popular houseplants in the United States.
Violets need light, of course, but will do well in medium light. In the winter, light from east, south or west facing windows should be adequate. The plants can benefit from additional hours of light from fluorescent lights – another added benefit to using compact fluorescent bulbs in your lamps and ceiling lights. During the summer months light from a southern or western window may be too intense and too hot. Unless sheer curtains shield them, they may do better in an east window.
African violets do not like soggy soil. Overwatering is a bigger threat to African violets than any pest, so be sure that the potting soil is a mixture that drains well and that the pot that has drainage holes. When the top inch of soil is dry, water the plant until the water comes out of the drain holes and then dump the excess water from the saucer. Water left in the saucer can wick back into the soil and lead to root rot. Most root rots are caused by various species of soil-inhabiting fungi, which require cool, moist soils in order to grow and multiply. Conditions which keep the soil moist, such as overwatering, poor soil drainage, inadequate light, and crowding of plants, favor the development of root rot. Evidence of root rot is lower leaves that look water soaked and wilted and weak. Very often when you buy an African violet it will come in a pot that drains but the pot is covered with colored tin foil. If you leave the plant in the tin foil, be sure that you dump off the excess water or it will leach back up into the soil.
Use warm water when you water; cold water spilled on leaves can leave white spots or streaks. Violets also like high humidity, so that could become a problem in the winter when our houses tend to become very dry.
Most african violets thrive in warmer temperatures, 70° during the day and 65° at night, although newer varieties tolerate cooler conditions. Fertilize violets regularly. There are fertilizers specially formulated for African Violets but you can use any regular houseplant fertilizer. Fertilize every time you water with a very dilute mixture of fertilizer, or fertilize once a month with a 1/2 strength mixture. African violets do not do well outside because their velvety or ‘hairy’ leaves may develop foliar problems when water is trapped and allowed to sit on them.
African violets bloom best when they are slightly crowded in their pots. They don’t branch. They have a thick central stalk with leaves whirling in a circular pattern around it. They can be propagated easily by removing a large leaf with one inch of the petiole (leafstalk). Poke the petiole into moist potting medium such as vermiculite until the underside of the leaf blade is in contact with the vermiculite. Keep the soil moist – not soggy- and new plantlets will form at the base of the leaf blade.
As mentioned, the main threat to African violets is over watering leading to root rot; in addition leaf stems that sit on a wet pot rim can also be subject to rot. Remove blooms as soon as they fade. With minimal attention you can enjoy several blooming periods throughout the year.
Next time we will explore other plants that make good houseplants in Minnesota’s other growing season.