African violets are a great way to add bright and cheerful blooms to your home. These plants come in several different beautiful shades. Growing African violets can be easy if you take the right steps. You can also grow them in small pot groupings for a big showy display.

Soil – Pot the plant into the right soil for the easiest African violet care. Special mixes are available or make your own from peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite in equal parts.

Water – African violet plants are picky about water, so take extra care when watering. Water with room temperature water that was allowed to stand for 48 hours. Water at the base and never splash the foliage with water; just a drop can cause foliar spots and damage. You want to water when the soil feels less moist to the touch. Never let growing African violets stand in water or completely dry out.

Light – Provide appropriate lighting for the African violet plant. The light should be filtered, with bright to medium intensity reaching the growing African violet. Light will affect the flowering of your African violet. African violet plants with dark green foliage usually need somewhat higher light levels than those with pale or medium green foliage. Turn pots regularly to keep flowers from reaching for the light. Place growing African violets 3 feet from a south- or west-facing window for the right lighting. If this light cannot be maintained for eight hours, consider supplementing with fluorescent lights.

Fertilizer – Fertilize African violet plants with special African violet food or a food with a higher phosphorus number. Reduced flowering and paler leaf color indicate that growing African violets are not getting enough fertilizer. Pinch blooms from the growing African violets when they are spent. This will encourage the development of more flowers.