2024 was named The Year of the African Violet by the National Garden Bureau and I am so here for it. The cheerful, compact, easy-care African Violet is a plant Ive always had a few of for the last 30+ years. They should come with a warning though. Theyre very addictive!
As well as my many mature African Violets, I have a converted Ikea cabinet with 20 or so variegated and girl leaf propagations growing right now, tucked up nice and warm and humid under grow lights. And no, I did NOT think ahead on what Ill do with them all once they get big, so I guess its African Violets on everyones gift list this year. I love how a simple single-leaf cutting can be popped in some Starter Mix and voila! Hello cute new plant. PS: These mini pots with humidity domes are superb for African Violet propagation and baby plants.
However, these adorable plants seem to be hit-or-miss with plant parents. Either you find them super-easy, or you kill them. There certainly are some African Violet rules that make them MUCH easier to care for once you know what to do (and not to do), and how to read their leaves. Here are the rules, African Violet tips and tricks, the care essentials covering watering, substrate, light, temperature, humidity and more, plus trouble-shooting tips throughout, including how to get your African Violet to flower. Lets jump in…
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African violets are beloved houseplants known for their bright, colorful blooms and easy care requirements. However they are susceptible to fungal diseases like root, stem and crown rot. Rot can quickly kill an African violet if left unchecked, but is avoidable with proper growing conditions and attentive care. This article explores the causes of rot in African violets and provides actionable solutions to prevent and treat it.
What is Rot?
Rot is a condition where plant tissues break down due to fungal or bacterial infection. It thrives in moist areas with poor air circulation. The main causes are overwatering, inadequate drainage, and high humidity. Rot usually starts in the roots but spreads to stems and leaves. Infected tissues turn brown or black and feel soft or mushy.
Types of Rot in African Violets
There are three main types of rot that affect African violets
Root Rot
- Caused by the fungus Cylindrocarpon
- Attacks the roots first, seen above soil as leaves yellow and wilt
- Roots turn brown and mushy
- Can be treated if caught early
Stem Rot
- Caused by the fungus Pythium
- Attacks roots, crown, and stem base
- Leaves lighten or turn greyish, stems collapse
- Usually fatal for African violets
Crown Rot
- Caused by the fungus Phytophthora
- Starts in the roots and spreads to the crown
- Crown turns dark and mushy
- Also usually fatal
Causes of Rot in African Violets
Certain growing conditions predispose African violets to fungal rot diseases:
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Overwatering – Wet soil breeds fungus. Water only when top inch of soil is dry.
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Poor drainage – Excess moisture around roots leads to rot. Use porous, well-draining soil.
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High humidity – Too much moisture on leaves/flowers spreads fungal spores. Keep humidity moderate.
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Weakened plants – Stress and damage make plants vulnerable. Keep conditions stable.
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Unsanitized tools – Dirty shears spread spores when pruning. Sterilize between plants.
Preventing Rot in African Violets
Prevention is key to avoid rot in your African violets. Follow these tips:
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Water properly – Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Never leave plants sitting in water.
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Improve drainage – Use an open, porous soil mix. Add perlite if needed. Ensure pots have drainage holes.
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Monitor humidity – Keep humidity around 40-50%. Improve air circulation with fans.
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Avoid temperature extremes – Keep plants at 65-75°F. Hot or cold stress increases susceptibility.
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Sterilize tools – Dip shears in rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent spread of spores.
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Inspect often – Check leaves, stems, and soil for early signs of rot. Address issues before they escalate.
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Repot annually – Refresh old soil and prune dead roots to prevent disease carryover.
Treating African Violet Rot
If you catch rot early, treatment may save the plant. Follow these steps:
1. Remove from Pot and Assess Roots
Carefully remove the plant and shake off excess soil. Check roots – healthy ones are firm and white, diseased ones are brown and mushy.
2. Prune Affected Areas
Use sterilized, sharp scissors or shears to trim off all rotted roots and stems. Remove any dead or dying leaves.
3. Disinfect Remaining Healthy Tissue
Use a fungicide like Physan 20 or copper-based spray. Or make a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution.
4. Repot in Fresh Soil
Repot in sterile, well-draining soil in a clean pot. Water sparingly until established.
5. Adjust Care
Going forward, water less and use filtered water to avoid pathogens. Place in bright indirect light. Monitor closely for recurrence of rot.
Control High Humidity
The best method for controlling African violet crown rot is prevention– always let the soil dry to the touch between waterings. Since there really isn’t an effective African violet crown rot treatment, if your plant is already infected, dispose of it and its growing medium, and sterilize its pot before using it again.
With attentive, preventative care and prompt treatment if needed, your African violets can thrive without fear of fungal rot diseases. Provide well-draining soil, moderate humidity, sterile tools, and proper watering technique and these beauties will reward you with years of vibrant blooms.
What’s the best substrate for African Violets?
Ive found the right substrate key to making African Violets easy care. You can buy a premade mix or DIY your own. Either way a substrate suitable for bottom watering or wick watering will make your life much easier. Something with medium water retention thats slow to fully dry out, with good drainage, a fine grade for those delicate roots, and thats light and airy enough to retain water without getting water-logged (you still want plenty of space for oxygen for the roots).
I love the custom blend Bio Leaf African Violet Mix created by Bio Leaf in conjunction with respected African Violet grower Bruce Andrew. Its airy, fine and well-draining. Ive found it superb for both bottom-watering and wick watering and it holds onto water a good amount of time. Their mix is a combo of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite and horticultural charcoal with the added perks of a bio-active goodies including calcium and silica to reduce transplant stress. Bio Leaf is only available in New Zealand, but for those overseas, Ive heard good things about Espoma African Violet Mix also, which is a custom blend mix of peat moss, perlite and more.
You can also make your own home-made blend. If you search DIY African Violet potting mix youll find a lot of different recipes. Three popular recipes are: 50% peat moss, 25% perlite and 25% vermiculite, or 3 parts peat moss to 2 parts perlite and 1 part vermiculite, or one third peat moss and one third each of perlite and vermiculite. Some African Violet growers also recommend adding Dolomite Lime and Horticultural Charcoal, usually a finer grade like BioChar but if you want to increase drainage and air space, a chunkier grade like HortiChar works too.
The only problem I find where I live, is getting peat moss in small quantities. If Amazon is an option for you and you want a larger quantity, you can get Miracle-Gro Peat Moss in larger bags, or for smaller quantities, theres Dotor Organic Peat Moss in 1 quart bags (Dotor also has a pre-made African Violet Blend). Dont substitute soil for peat moss though. I find adding standard potting soil makes the mix too dense and compact, it holds too much water and increases the risk of rot.
How to treat an African Violet for cold shock
Sometimes the plant wont be able to saved, but you can try. Move your African Violet right away to somewhere warmer and out of the path of cold drafts. Watch out for leaves or flowers that start to turn mushy or brown and remove them right away to help prevent the rot spreading. Increase humidity while reducing watering (I just stop watering altogether until its recovered). Theres also no need to fertilise a sick plant.
Part1: These Methods Will Help You Save Your African Violets After Overwatering
FAQ
How to prevent root rot in African violets?
What causes crown rot in African violets?
How do you get rid of fungus on African violets?
What is the best fungicide for African violets?