African Violets are well known for their gorgeous purple blooms. They are considered easy to grow, as long as you provide the correct environment for them. But what is the correct environment?
In their native habitat, they grow in rock crevices on the forest floor of moist forests of tropical eastern Africa. When grown in these locations, they enjoy long daylight hours, but receive diffuse sunlight. They do not grow in exposed locations with direct sunlight, nor do they grow in areas that are very dark.
In a home environment, African Violets can be grown in natural daylight or under grow lights. So how much sunlight do these plants actually need? Do they grow best in direct or indirect sunlight? In this article we will address what type of lighting, and how much light they need to reach their full potential. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!
African Violets need at least 8 hours of indirect sunlight each day. Ideally, they should receive between 10 and 14 hours of light each day. They can be easily grown in a bright window, but take caution to protect them from intense direct rays. They will also grow well under a grow light. In addition to daytime light, they also need at least 8 hours of darkness each night to trigger flowering.
African Violets are very rewarding houseplants to grow. They have beautiful white, pink, or purple flowers, and are capable of blooming throughout the year. They stay fairly small, and they have fairly straightforward needs. As long as you understand their needs, and can provide for them, you can easily grow them in your home.
They do best with indirect sunlight. They need at least 8 hours, but preferably 10-14 hours of light each day. But providing too much, or too little light can have consequences. And if you use grow lights, it starts getting a little trickier.
Let’s look at all the factors and key takeaways you’ll want to understand before finding the perfect location for your plant.
African violets are beautiful, flowering houseplants that can add a pop of color to any indoor space. With their deep green, velvety leaves and brightly colored blooms, it’s no wonder they are so popular. However, to get your African violet to grow well and produce gorgeous flowers, you need to provide it with the right lighting conditions. In this article, we’ll explore exactly how much light an African violet needs to thrive indoors.
Overview of African Violet Light Needs
In general African violets need bright filtered light to grow their best. In their native tropical environment, they thrive in the dappled sunlight under tree canopies. Replicating similar conditions indoors is key. Too much harsh, direct sun will damage leaves and flowers. But insufficient light stops blooming and causes weak growth. The ideal is 12-14 hours of bright, indirect light per day.
Direct vs. Indirect Sunlight
African violets should never be placed in direct sunlight indoors or outdoors. The hot rays will scorch and burn their delicate leaves and blooms. However they do need adequate levels of indirect light to photosynthesize and flower properly.
East or west-facing windows work better than southern exposures. Sheer curtains can filter intense western late afternoon sun. For northern windows, supplement with grow lights. Rotate your plant weekly for even lighting on all sides.
Recommended Hours of Daily Light
Most African violet experts suggest providing plants with 12-14 hours of bright, filtered light per day. Less than 12 hours can prevent blooming. More than 14 hours denies needed darkness for rest. Consistency is key – the lighting period should not vary significantly day to day.
During darker winter months, supplement natural light with grow lights to reach the 12 hour minimum. In peak summer, diffuse intense midday sun with a sheer curtain to avoid burn.
Using Artificial Grow Lights
When natural light is insufficient, LED grow lights can successfully replicate African violet lighting needs. Select full spectrum bulbs in the 5000-6500K color temperature range which contain blue and red wavelengths. Avoid “cool white” lights lacking these colors.
Position LED grow lights 12-15 inches above your plant. Set timers for 12-14 hours per day. Turn off at “night” for 10-12 hours of darkness. Adjust height and duration if leaves show signs of light stress.
Signs of Too Much Light
Watch your African violet closely for signals it’s receiving excessive light:
- Yellow or bleached leaves
- Dry, brittle foliage
- Brown scorch marks
- Leaf curling or crinkling
- Slow, stunted growth
- Wilting, dried flowers
Signs of Too Little Light
With inadequate lighting, African violets exhibit:
- Smaller leaves
- Lighter green foliage
- Weak, leggy growth
- Failure to bloom
- Drooping or falling leaves
Ideal Light Set-Up
Follow these tips to provide optimal lighting:
- East or west-facing window filtered with sheer curtains
- Grow lights 12-15 inches above plant
- 12-14 hours of light per day
- Rotate plant weekly for even light exposure
- No direct hot sun rays touching leaves
Key Takeaways
- African violets need 12-14 hours of bright, filtered light daily
- Direct hot sunlight will damage leaves and flowers
- Supplement with grow lights near northern and low light windows
- Look for signs of too much or too little light
- Rotate plants and provide darkness for 10-12 hours
By understanding exactly how much light your African violet needs and monitoring for signs of light stress, you can provide the perfect conditions for lush leaves and prolific blooms in your indoor garden. A little trial and error with positioning and grow lights may be needed, but the vibrant flowers will be well worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How close should my grow light be to my African violet?
Most experts recommend keeping grow lights 12-15 inches above your African violet. Adjust height as needed if you notice signs of light stress on the leaves.
Should I leave grow lights on overnight for my African violet?
No, African violets require a period of darkness to rest, typically 10-12 hours per day. Leaving grow lights on 24/7 can stress the plant.
Can I place my African violet outside in full sun?
Direct hot sun will damage an African violet. Outdoors, keep it in bright shade protected from afternoon sun. Bring it back inside before temperatures drop below 65°F.
Why are my African violet’s leaves turning yellow?
If older leaves turn yellow, it may indicate too much light. Try moving the plant farther from the window or reducing grow light hours. Other causes can include overwatering or nutrient deficiency.
How often should I rotate my African violet?
Rotating your African violet plant about a quarter turn each week will ensure it receives even lighting on all sides for balanced growth. More frequent rotation generally isn’t necessary.
Properly lighting your African violet is crucial to keeping the colorful blooms coming. Pay close attention for signs of excess light or inadequate sunlight. Adjust positioning, use sheer curtains, or supplement with LED grow lights as needed. With the right balance, your African violet will reward you with a long display of gorgeous flowers.
Too Much & Too Little Light
Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. If this happens, leaves may develop brown spots or turn entirely brown. Leaves and stems may become stunted as the plant tries to minimize its exposure to the sun.
This causes the plant to appear very tight and bunched in the middle. Too much direct sunlight will likely cause the plant to stop blooming, and if the problem persists, can ultimately lead to plant death.
Not enough light, on the other hand, can cause plants to grow leggy, with long weak stems. Leaves may start to look yellowish and the plant may not grow well.
Insufficient light can also limit bloom production because the plant lacks the energy it needs from sunlight. Unless you leave your plant in complete darkness, not enough light is unlikely to cause plant death.