African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are popular flowering houseplants, cherished for their velvety leaves and vibrant blooms. These delicate plants are sensitive to their environment, making them challenging for many home growers. Proper water management is the most common factor determining the success or failure of an African violet, as they thrive only when their moisture needs are perfectly balanced. Mastering the correct technique and timing for hydration is the primary step in keeping them healthy and encouraging continuous flowering.
Knowing When to Water
African violets prefer a consistently moist soil environment but will quickly suffer if the potting mix remains soggy for extended periods. The ideal schedule involves allowing the soil to become slightly dry before rewatering, but the soil should never be permitted to become bone-dry. Watering on a fixed calendar schedule is often unreliable because factors like temperature, light, and humidity constantly change the plant’s moisture needs.
A simple and reliable method for determining readiness is the “finger test,” which involves pushing a clean finger about half an inch into the soil near the pot’s rim. If the soil at this depth feels dry to the touch, it is time to water the plant thoroughly. If moisture is still detectable, wait another day or two before checking again.
Another useful technique is the “pot weight test,” which relies on a grower’s ability to judge the difference between a heavy, freshly watered pot and a light, dry one. Once you learn the weight of a fully hydrated pot, you can simply lift it to gauge how much moisture remains. A pot that feels surprisingly light indicates the soil is dry and that the plant needs immediate watering.
Choosing the Right Watering Technique
The method used to deliver water is just as important as the timing, primarily because the African violet’s fuzzy leaves and crown are highly susceptible to damage. Water left sitting on the foliage can lead to unsightly yellow or brown spotting, which is a form of cellular necrosis. Moisture trapped in the plant’s densely packed center, or crown, creates an ideal environment for fatal fungal infections like crown rot.
Bottom Watering
Bottom watering is the most recommended method because it allows the plant to absorb water through the drainage holes, preventing any moisture from touching the foliage or crown. To perform this, place the potted plant in a saucer or shallow container filled with room-temperature water. Allow the pot to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, giving the soil time to wick the water upward until the top surface is visibly moist.
After the soaking period, immediately remove the pot from the reservoir and discard any remaining water in the saucer. Leaving the plant to stand in excess water will negate the benefit of bottom watering and lead directly to overwatering and root rot. This technique also helps encourage the development of a healthy, deep root system as roots grow downward toward the moisture source.
Top Watering
Top watering is acceptable only if extreme care is taken to avoid wetting the leaves or crown, often requiring a specialized watering can with a long, narrow spout. Direct the water onto the soil surface near the pot’s edge, ensuring it flows directly into the potting mix. Continue watering until excess liquid begins to run out of the drainage holes into the saucer below.
The advantage of top watering, especially when performed thoroughly, is that it helps leach out accumulated mineral and fertilizer salts from the soil. These salts are deposited on the soil surface when water evaporates and can burn the plant’s delicate crown over time. Growers who primarily use bottom or wick watering should flush their soil from the top once every three to four months to remove this toxic buildup.
Wick Watering
Wick watering is a self-regulating method that provides consistent moisture to the root system over an extended period. This system involves threading a synthetic wick material through a drainage hole in the pot, with the other end resting in a water reservoir below. The wick continually draws water upward into the soil through capillary action, keeping the potting mix evenly moist.
This technique is highly effective for maintaining consistent hydration and is particularly useful for growers with many plants or those who travel frequently. The soil must be a very light, porous mix to prevent oversaturation, which can still cause root rot if the mix is too heavy. The pot must be suspended above the water reservoir so that only the wick touches the water.
Water Quality Requirements
The African violet’s sensitivity extends to the quality and temperature of the water it receives. The water should be lukewarm or at least room temperature (65°F to 75°F) to avoid shocking the root system, which can cause leaves to curl downwards. If cold water splashes onto the leaves, it can cause distinct necrotic spots, called ring spots, where cells are killed by the sudden temperature change.
The chemical content of tap water also poses a threat to plant health. Highly chlorinated water is detrimental to the roots, and water softened with sodium salts is particularly harmful. To minimize the effects of chlorine, tap water should sit uncovered for at least 24 hours before use, allowing the chlorine gas to dissipate. Using distilled water or clean rainwater is an alternative for growers whose tap water quality is consistently poor.
Troubleshooting Common Watering Mistakes
Improper watering is the leading cause of African violet decline, involving overwatering and underwatering, both of which can cause similar symptoms. Overwatering is signaled by the plant’s lower leaves turning soft, mushy, and yellow, often accompanied by wilting stems. This saturation deprives the roots of oxygen, leading to root rot, where the roots turn brown, soft, and non-functional.
If root rot is suspected, cease all watering immediately and remove the plant from its pot to inspect the roots. Any mushy or darkened roots must be pruned away before repotting into fresh, dry African violet soil. In contrast, an underwatered plant exhibits leaves that are crispy, brittle, and dry to the touch, often appearing wilted or deflated.
The correction for a severely dry plant is a thorough bottom soak in lukewarm water, allowing the soil to gradually rehydrate. A third common issue is crown rot, caused by water sitting on the crown, which results in the center of the plant turning dark, mushy, and translucent. If caught early, remove the damaged leaves and adjust watering to ensure the crown remains completely dry.