African Violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are beloved houseplants known for their velvety leaves and near-constant blooms. However, they sometimes become stressed, overgrown, or damaged, leading to a decline in health and appearance. When this occurs, “restarting” is necessary to rejuvenate the plant. Restarting involves either revitalizing the original plant’s main crown or using healthy foliage to propagate new plantlets. This practice ensures the continuation of the variety in a healthier, more vigorous form.
Determining the Need for a Restart
A visual inspection reveals several signs indicating that a restart is needed. The most common sign is the development of an elongated, woody stem, often called a “neck,” that appears between the soil line and the lowest ring of leaves. This neck forms as older, lower leaves die off, causing the plant to become top-heavy and unstable.
Other symptoms include sparse foliage, mushy or yellowed lower leaves, and stalled growth. Crown rot, which appears as a sickly, decaying center, is a serious sign requiring immediate intervention. If the plant has suffered severe pest damage or if the soil is compacted, a restart provides a clean slate for renewed health.
Propagating New Plants from Leaf Cuttings
Propagating from a leaf cutting is the most common method to ensure a new, genetically identical plant. Select a healthy, firm leaf from the middle row, as the youngest and oldest leaves are less likely to succeed. Using a sterilized blade, remove the leaf, leaving the petiole attached. Trim the petiole to about one-half to one inch, cutting it at a 45-degree angle to maximize the surface area for root development.
The prepared cutting can be rooted in water or a porous, soilless mix like perlite or a specialized African Violet blend. If using soil, insert the petiole into the medium so the leaf blade is just above the surface, and keep the soil lightly moist. Place the pot in a high-humidity environment, such as inside a clear plastic bag or dome, out of direct sunlight. Roots typically form within three to four weeks, and tiny plantlets will begin to emerge from the base of the petiole within two to six months.
Saving an Overgrown or Damaged Crown
When the original plant has developed a long neck, the process involves trimming the stem and re-rooting the existing crown. First, remove all flowers and lower leaves until only a compact rosette of healthy foliage remains. Use a sharp, sterilized knife to cut the stem about one to two inches below the lowest remaining leaves.
The remaining neck, which is a rough, brown surface, must be gently scraped with a dull knife or fingernail to remove the outer tissue. Scraping exposes the inner, green cambium layer, which stimulates the formation of new roots along the stem. The trimmed crown is then repotted into a clean container using fresh, light African Violet potting mix. The scraped neck is buried completely beneath the soil, ensuring the lowest ring of leaves sits just above the new soil line. This revived crown should be placed in a humid environment for a few weeks to establish its new root system.
Ensuring Successful New Growth
After any restart procedure, the correct environment is necessary for the plant to thrive. African Violets prefer bright, indirect light, typically found in a north- or east-facing window, or under fluorescent grow lights for 12 to 14 hours per day. Insufficient light will prevent blooming, while direct sunlight will scorch the leaves.
Temperature stability is also important, with ideal conditions ranging between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant requires high humidity (ideally 40 to 60 percent), which can be maintained by placing the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water. When watering, always use room-temperature water and apply it from the bottom to prevent water from touching the fuzzy leaves or the crown, which can cause spotting or rot. The potting mix should be a specialized, well-draining, and airy blend.