How Often Do You Water an African Violet? Care Instructions to Keep Your Plant Healthy

Co-authored by Ryan Glynn, CPA and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: November 17, 2021 References

If you’re looking for beautiful flowers to keep in your home, African violets are great for beginners, experts, and every gardener in between! While African violets are relatively easy to take care of, they can be sensitive to over- and under-watering. We know that you’re probably wondering the proper ways to water your violets, so keep reading to find the answers to your most common questions!

Question 1

Question 1 of 6:
How do I know when my African violets need water?

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Water when the top 1 in (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry. Even if the soil surface looks dried out, it could still be moist deeper in the pot. Start checking the soil daily the day after you water it. Stick your finger 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the soil and check if it’s dry or still a little damp. If it feels completely dry, then your African violets need more water.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.} Otherwise, leave your violets for another day before checking them again.^{[2]
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- You can also check the soil moisture levels with an electronic moisture meter. Just push the moisture meter 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil and wait for the reading to stabilize.
- Be vigilant about the watering schedule when the plants are about to bloom. If they do not get sufficient water at that time, they may not bloom.^{[3]
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  Ryan Glynn, CPA
  Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
  Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.} But if you overwater your African violets, then you could cause the roots to rot. If your violets are limp or wilted, then they’ve had too much water.^{[4]
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  Research source} You can only save overwatered African violets if a majority of the roots are still white or light-colored. Remove the plant from the soil, check the roots, and prune any rotted areas before replanting it.^{[5]
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Question 2

Question 2 of 6:
How much water does an African violet need?

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There’s no set amount, but you should never let the soil dry out completely. African violets bloom throughout the year.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Ryan Glynn, CPA
Plant Specialist & Interiorscaper
Expert Interview. 4 November 2021.} The amount of water you use for your African violets depends on a lot of factors, including the size of the pot, the growing conditions, and the potting mix you’re using. However, African violets require slightly moist soil that doesn’t get too waterlogged. If the soil ever feels dry 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface, then water until it feels moist again.^{[7]
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Question 3

Question 3 of 6:
How do I water African violets from the bottom?

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Set the pot in 1 in (2.5 cm) of water until the soil feels moist. Fill a tray with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of room temperature distilled water and place the container with your violets inside of it.^{[8]
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Research source} The soil will soak up the water through the drainage holes to effectively water your plant. Check the soil every 10 minutes to see if the surface feels moist. If it does, remove the pot and drain out any excess water.^{[9]
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- Watering from the bottom is the preferred method since it helps prevent any discoloration or damage to the leaves.
- Avoid letting the pot sit in the water for longer than 1 hour since it could overwater your violets.
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Run a wick from the bottom of the pot to a tray for continuous moisture. This works best if you’re repotting your African violets. Wet a nylon or polyester string with water, and thread it through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot so at least 6 inches (15 cm) hangs out from the bottom. Leave at least 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) of the string inside the pot. Fill the pot with your soil and plant your African violets. Then, put the loose end of the wick into a container with water. The water will run up the wick and keep the soil moist.^{[10]
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- When you wick plants, salts may collect at the top of the soil and could injure your plants over time, but you can prevent them from forming. Flush the surface by watering the topsoil until water comes out of the drainage holes at least once a month.^{[11]
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Question 4

Question 4 of 6:
How do you water African violets from the top?

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Add water directly to the potting mix until it comes out of the drainage holes. Stick with distilled or reverse-osmosis water rather than softened tap water. Use a bottle with a narrow spout or a baster so you can control the flow of the water easier. Fill the container you’re using with room temperature water and slowly apply it to the soil around your violets. Do your best to avoid getting any water on the leaves or flowers since it could cause discoloration.^{[12]
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Research source} Once you see water streaming out from the pot’s drainage holes, stop watering your violets so they don’t get waterlogged.^{[13]
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- If your container doesn’t have drainage holes, transplant your violets into one that does. Otherwise, your violets are more likely to develop rot.
- If water pools at the top of your plant, let it drain out or try pouring it out to prevent root rot.

Question 5

Question 5 of 6:
What happens if I get water on African violet leaves?

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The leaves could form spots or start to rot if they’re wet. When you leave water on your violets’ foliage, it can increase the humidity around your flowers and make them more susceptible to rotting. Water also causes white spots or blotchy discoloration if it’s left to dry on your plants, so only water the soil directly or do it from the bottom.^{[14]
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- If you get water on the leaves or stems, gently brush or shake the droplets off before they have a chance to dry.
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Question 6

Question 6 of 6:
Can I use ice cubes to water African violets?

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No, only use room temperature water to avoid damaging your plants. While ice cubes slowly melt and add moisture to the soil, the cold water makes your violets more susceptible to discoloration. No matter which way you water your violets, stick with room temperature water so you’re less likely to damage your plants.^{[15]
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Warnings

African violets are really susceptible to crown rot and root rot if they’re overwatered. If your violets look limp or wilted, it’s a sign of overwatering.^{[16]
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Cold water can leave spots or blotches on the foliage, so only use room temperature water.^{[17]
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