African violets (Saintpaulia) are popular flowering houseplants, prized for their velvety leaves and continuous blooms. A standard propagation method is using a leaf cutting, where the petiole is rooted in soil. This process forms small, genetically identical offspring, known as plantlets or “babies,” that emerge around the base of the original leaf. To grow into healthy, mature plants, these miniature clones must be safely separated from the parent leaf and potted individually.
When Plantlets are Ready and Supplies Needed
Plantlets are ready for separation when they have developed a distinct rosette of leaves, typically three to four recognizable leaves. For standard varieties, the plantlet leaves should reach the diameter of a nickel. Miniature varieties can be separated when the leaves are the size of a dime. Separating them too early, before they have sufficient leaf surface area for photosynthesis, lowers their survival rate.
The entire process generally takes between four to six months from the time the leaf was first planted. To confirm a sufficient root structure, gently tug the cluster; if it feels anchored firmly in the soil, it indicates a developed root system. Before beginning, gather your supplies, which include a small, sharp, sterile cutting tool, such as a razor blade or scalpel, and individual pots no larger than two or three inches in diameter. You will also need a lightweight, soilless African violet potting mix, typically composed of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, and small labels for identification.
Step-by-Step Detaching the Babies
Gently remove the entire leaf-and-plantlet mass from its container, handling the original leaf rather than the delicate babies. Carefully brush away excess potting medium from the roots to expose the connection points to the parent leaf’s petiole. Sterilize your cutting tool, often by wiping it with rubbing alcohol, to prevent transmitting pathogens to the freshly cut tissue.
The goal is to separate each plantlet cleanly while retaining as much of its own root system as possible. Identify each distinct rosette of leaves. Use the sharp blade to make a precise cut between the rosettes, separating them from the main petiole and from each other. If plantlets are tightly clustered, carefully maneuver to untangle the roots without causing excessive damage.
Once separated, inspect the roots of each plantlet. If any roots are excessively long and tangled, trim them slightly with the sterile blade to encourage denser root growth that better fits the new small pot. The original mother leaf can sometimes be replanted to produce a second batch of babies.
Potting Up and Establishing the New Plants
Each separated plantlet should be immediately moved into its own small container, ideally a two-inch pot, which is appropriately sized for its small root mass. Fill the pot with the prepared lightweight African violet mix, ensuring the medium is evenly moistened but not saturated before planting. Create a small indentation in the center of the mix using a pencil or finger to receive the plantlet’s roots.
Place the plantlet into the prepared hole, making sure that the crown, which is the central growing point, rests just above the soil line. Planting the crown too deeply can lead to rot, while planting too shallowly can cause the plantlet to become unstable. Gently firm the mix around the roots to secure the plantlet in place, being careful not to compress the light, airy structure of the potting medium.
After planting, give the newly potted babies a thorough initial watering, which can be done by watering from the top or by allowing the pot to absorb water from the bottom until the topsoil is moist. High humidity is beneficial for the first few weeks as the plantlets establish new root systems. A practical way to achieve this is by placing the pots inside a clear, covered plastic container or a large, clear plastic bag, creating a mini-greenhouse effect until new growth is observed. The young plants should be placed in a location that receives bright, indirect light and maintains a stable, warm temperature.