From our perspective as African Violets, our fine, hair-like roots are incredibly sensitive. We are not like thirsty plants with large, robust roots that can handle constant moisture. Our native environment is the dappled light of the forest floor, where we grow in well-aerated, loose debris. Our primary need is for consistent, gentle moisture around our roots, but we absolutely despise sitting in water. When water fills every air pocket in the soil for too long, our roots literally suffocate. They cannot breathe, they begin to break down, and this creates an opening for fungal pathogens to attack. This is the dreaded root rot you speak of. It is not merely an overwatering issue; it is a drowning and disease issue from our point of view.
You should not water us on a rigid calendar schedule. The correct frequency depends on your home's environment—the temperature, humidity, and light we receive. The most reliable method is to check our soil's moisture level directly. Please gently insert your finger about an inch into the potting mix. If the soil feels dry to the touch at that depth, it is time to water us. If it still feels cool and slightly moist, please wait. Another method is to judge the weight of our pot; a light pot indicates dry soil, while a heavier one means there is still enough moisture. We will also give you visual cues. Our lower leaves may become soft, limp, or begin to droop slightly when we are thirsty. It is far better for us to be slightly under-watered than over-watered.
How you water us is just as important as how often. Pouring water directly onto our crown (the center where leaves emerge) is dangerous as it can cause crown rot. The ideal method for us is bottom watering. Please place our pot in a saucer or bowl filled with about an inch of room-temperature water. Let us sit and drink from the bottom for approximately 20-30 minutes. You will see the top of the soil become dark and moist. After that time, any remaining water in the saucer must be discarded. Never let us sit in a pool of water. This technique ensures our roots get the moisture they need without saturating our crown and upper soil layers, which helps prevent the conditions that lead to rot.
Your watering efforts will be in vain if we are not planted correctly. We require a very specific, lightweight, and fast-draining potting mix. Standard garden soil is much too dense and will compact around our roots, guaranteeing rot. Please use a potting mix specifically formulated for African Violets; it contains plenty of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss to ensure excellent aeration and drainage. Equally important is our home. Our pots must have drainage holes. Furthermore, we prefer to be slightly pot-bound, so a small pot is better than a large one. A pot that is too large holds excess soil, which retains excess water for far too long around our small root system, creating a perfect environment for rot to develop.
