Plant care guide
African Violet Not Blooming? Light First, Then Food and Pot
Updated
Why is my African violet not blooming?
An African violet that won't bloom is usually short of light. Too little or too much fertilizer, cool temperatures, too few hours of darkness, an oversized pot and suckers crowding the crown are the other common reasons.
What to do first
Move the plant to a bright north or east window, or put it 10–25 cm (4–10 in) under grow lights for 12–16 hours a day with at least 8 hours of darkness. Keep it at 18–27 °C (65–80 °F), feed with a dilute fertilizer, and keep it in a snug pot.
Modern African violets can flower almost all year. Penn State Extension’s article on non-flowering violets says that when one stops, a cultural problem is usually the reason. The plant isn’t broken. It is telling you something about its light, food or pot.
Light is the first thing to check, because it is the most common cause.
Read the leaves
The foliage often shows which problem you have.
| What the leaves look like | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Thin, dark green leaves on long stalks, reaching upward | Too little light |
| Small, crinkled, leathery or pale, bleached leaves | Too much light |
| Lots of lush leaves, no flowers | Too much fertilizer, or too little light |
| Older leaves yellowing, slow growth | Needs feeding |
| Tight, crowded centre with extra small crowns | Suckers |
| Tight, crinkled, stunted centre leaves | Cyclamen mites |
Iowa State University Extension’s All About African Violets describes both light extremes. UF/IFAS Extension’s African violets publication adds that low-light plants may grow but flower poorly or not at all. Clemson Extension’s African violet factsheet calls lack of flowering one of the most common problems and links it mainly to inadequate light.
Light and darkness
- Windows. Iowa State says north and east windows are generally best. Clemson suggests within about 90 cm (3 ft) of a large southeast- or west-facing window, out of direct afternoon sun.
- Grow lights. Iowa State’s blooming FAQ suggests fluorescent lights 20–25 cm (8–10 in) above the plants for 12 to 16 hours a day.
- Darkness. Penn State says violets need 8 hours of darkness every night, and lights shouldn’t run more than 16 hours a day. UF/IFAS gives 8 to 12 hours of light, up to 16, with 8 hours of darkness.
UF/IFAS notes that a plant with good light for too short a day does worse than one with weaker light for longer.
Feeding
Both too little and too much fertilizer can stop flowers, says Iowa State. Excess feeding gives vigorous leaves, poor flowering and salt build-up. Purdue Extension’s African violet guide says over-fertilization is usually a bigger problem than under-fertilization.
- Iowa State’s FAQ suggests a dilute fertilizer every two weeks in spring, summer and autumn, and usually none in winter.
- Penn State recommends a balanced fertilizer and says violets are sensitive to urea.
- UF/IFAS describes a quarter-strength solution at each watering, flushing with plain water now and then to clear salts.
Pick one routine and stick to it.
Temperature
Iowa State gives 18–27 °C (65–80 °F) and says to raise the temperature if it is lower. Purdue says temperatures above 27 °C (80 °F) slow growth and flowering. In summer, UF/IFAS suggests moving violets to the coolest spot in the home.
Water
Penn State says the mix should feel like a well-wrung-out sponge. Roots damaged by soggy or bone-dry mix leave the plant putting its energy into survival rather than flowers. Clemson warns that violets are very susceptible to crown and root rot from overwatering.
Pot size and suckers
Penn State says violets prefer to be root-bound to bloom well, in a pot no larger than one-third of the plant’s diameter. A recent move into a much bigger pot can stall flowering. The University of Vermont Extension’s African violet article says suckers (secondary crowns) should be removed, except on trailing varieties.
Fix it in order
- Improve the light, or add grow lights on a timer with 8 dark hours.
- Check the temperature where the plant sits, especially near cold glass in winter.
- Review feeding. Flush the pot with plain water if you have been feeding heavily, then use a dilute routine.
- Check the pot. If it is much wider than a third of the rosette, repot into a smaller one in spring.
- Remove suckers with tweezers while they are small.
We suggest giving each change several weeks before you judge it, and changing one thing at a time.
A plant that stretched in poor light may also need its neck buried; see our leggy growth guide. A crinkled centre can mean pests; see our cyclamen mite guide. White powder on the leaves is covered in our powdery mildew guide. For lighting setups, see African violet grow lights, and for the full routine, our African violet care guide.
References
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: All About African Violets
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: My African violets aren’t blooming well. Why?
- Penn State Extension: Why Isn’t My African Violet Flowering?
- UF/IFAS Extension: African Violets (MG028)
- Clemson Cooperative Extension, HGIC 1550: African Violet
- University of Vermont Extension: Growing African violets
- Purdue Extension HO-10-W: African Violets
How this guide was put together: Iowa State University Extension, Penn State Extension, UF/IFAS Extension, Clemson Extension, University of Vermont Extension and Purdue Extension guidance.