--- title: "Recently picked up this African Violet for my dad’s desk at work. His…" description: "Recently picked up this African Violet for my dad’s desk at work. His dad used to always have African Violets in their home when he was a kid, and we always…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/1GM2ovP5UYrtDZtbQwIbs6?language=it" community: "Anything about plants" author: "Adrian" published: "2025-02-12T01:03:00.621071Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/dwDpfRHYT8mlg4oSXNMt0w.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=it) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md?language=it) # Recently picked up this African Violet for my dad’s desk at work. His… _Pubblicato da Adrian il 2025-02-12_ Recently picked up this African Violet for my dad’s desk at work. His dad used to always have African Violets in their home when he was a kid, and we always think of him around Valentine’s Day, so I thought it’d be a nice way of keeping his memory around for my dad. I’m new to African Violets and would love any tips anyone with experience with these can share, especially in terms of if I need to get a soil mix specifically for African Violets to repot it with, or if I can manage with a cactus or all-purpose mix. TIA! ![Allegato 1 di 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/dwDpfRHYT8mlg4oSXNMt0w.webp?size=large) ![Allegato 2 di 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CQyscbeN5f0KZltdaSyx3VQZZh8uHYoaKDmCZlFICjE/GcHB4F4sSzGxy5K5uTjuNg.webp?size=large) ## 8 commenti ### KJM ha commentato il 2025-02-12 African violets do not like to get water on the leaves. This is because of all the little hairs the water stays there too long and can cause problems and spots. You can carefully water it from the top but sometimes it's just easier to water them from the bottom to avoid the leaves. There is a special African violet fertilizer and soil but as long as the soil is good quality and well draining you're probably good. As far as the fertilizer is concerned and all-purpose for fertilizer is fine but since the African violet is known for this blossoming you may want to get something that is a boom booster or a regular African violet fertilizer. Trim flowers as they die because this will encourage it to bloom some more. #### Adrian ha risposto il 2025-02-12 Wow! Thanks so much for the quick response! I currently have some Espoma’s Cactus and Succulent Mix, but was considering if I need to try their African Violet mix out for this one. I’ve heard they don’t like wet leaves, but figured she’ll be a nice addition since I already bottom water most of my plants. Would you happen to know if there are temperature or light needs before or during their blooming season (like schlumbergera truncata)? ### Lyn ha commentato il 2025-02-12 Can I just say that is the sweetest thing ever I love your story so much! I’m sure that means so much to your father, I do second a lost of what the other comment said I would recommend watering around every week and a half I’ve noticed mine doesn’t like sitting in water to much, I also keep mine near a window and it’s been growing like crazy! Hope this helps in some way! #### Adrian ha risposto il 2025-02-12 Thanks! My grandfather’s birthday is around Valentine’s Day. He passed away right before his 95th birthday on Valentine’s Day, so we turned it more into a family holiday rather than something just for couples. My dad’s been asking about picking a plant or two for his bay at work, so I hope he likes it 😊 ### KJM ha commentato il 2025-02-12 African violets Bloom best with bright indirect light, never direct sun. Temperature and humidity is also an important factor. They prefer warm temperatures around 70 or 75°, not below 60° with higher humidity than an average home has. A humidifier can help. Never let it stand in water for long when you're bottom watering. Just get the job done and take it out. They also like to be a little bit crowded but not root bound. The leaves of the plant typically extend beyond the edge of the pot. There is a website called "the spruce" that is quite useful for houseplant care. They recommend African violet soil but the bottom line is it needs to be any well draining soil. ### KJM ha commentato il 2025-02-12 The part you have it in looks like a fine size. It should be able to stay in that pot for quite a while as long as it has a drain hole. #### Adrian ha risposto il 2025-02-12 Thanks so much for all the help! That’s a lot of great info. I really appreciate it! 😊 ### Magpie ha commentato il 2025-02-12 Sweet story. ❤️ --- _Fonte: la community di Planta (https://getplanta.com). La lettura è aperta a tutti. Per pubblicare, commentare e mettere 'Mi piace', scarica l'app Planta: https://getplanta.com/download_