African Violets are one of the most commonly kept indoor plants today. They are very beautiful and are not that difficult to keep. However, they do have a few care requirements that must be adhered to for them to survive.

When you are choosing your plant, make sure it looks healthy. The leaves are a good indication of whether or not it is healthy. Also, try to get one that already has some flower buds on it. African Violets can be found at nurseries as well as supermarkets. Nurseries will be more expensive than supermarkets, but they will also have more choices.

Next you will need to choose what type of pot you will keep it in. You can get a plastic pot, an unglazed clay pot, or a glazed ceramic pot. A plant in a plastic pot or glazed pot won't need as much water as a plant in an unglazed clay pot because the unglazed clay pots let water evaporate throughout the day. Glazed ceramic pots are the most expensive and plastic is the least expensive.

When you are ready to put your plant into its pot, you need to get a few things ready. You will need the pot, a saucer to put under the pot, soil, pebbles and plant food. For the saucer, make sure there is space left around all sides of the pot. Don't get a saucer that is too small. For the soil, make sure it is good quality soil. They even make an African violet soil, which is perfect.

Cover each drainage hole in the bottom of the pot with a pebble. Fill the pot about halfway with soil and put the plant in. Then fill up the rest of the pot. Press down the soil using your fingers and add more soil. Feed your plant at this time using the plant food you got. Now, to water the plant, fill up the saucer with water. Put the pot into the saucer and let it sit for an hour. After that, take the pot out of the saucer and empty the saucer if there is any water left.

The best place to keep your African violet is in a window. Even though they may look better somewhere else, they will not grow as well. An east window provides the best lighting for the plant. If your plant doesn't make flowers, that means that it isn't getting enough light. If the leaves start to get brown edges of brown spots, then it's getting too much light.

When you water your plant, never water it from above. You should put some water into your watering can and let it sit overnight; this will let any harmful impurities evaporate out. Before watering, stick your finger into the dirt. If the soil feels damp, then don't water it. Every time you need to water the plant, fill up the saucer and put the pot into the saucer for about an hour.

After you get used to the care that African Violets require, it is very easy to do. If you care for your plant correctly, it will grow very easily. You will enjoy its beauty every day!

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Gardening