African violet care: light, water, and pet safety

Saintpaulia spp.

Care table

Light	Medium light to bright indirect light. Bright indirect. An east window, or under a light shelf 12 hours a day.
Water	Likes evenly moist soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
Humidity	Prefers 40 to 50 percent or more
Repotting	Once a year. They bloom best in small, shallow pots.

Winter care

Keep it out of cold glass. Use room temperature water and keep water off the leaves.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: African Violet

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Pale spots on leaves: Cold water on the leaves.
No blooms: Too little light.
Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool