Does anyone know what kind of plant this is?
by
Amy Connor
+67
I was given this plant a few years ago and have no idea what it is. I replanted it in a bigger pot and it has done beautifully. I am now noticing that as it grows and blooms, the bottom leaves droop and then die. Is that normal? Should I do something about it?
59 answers
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yes, it's an African violet. I have several growing in my kitchen window
Lynn Umbehant
on Oct 28, 2013
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Yes! This is an African Violet. They grow great near a window in your house.
Nancy Hand
on Oct 28, 2013
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Some people keep them in the bathroom and they die. A less humid place is better.
Patricia W
on Oct 28, 2013
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MyGrandma hadrows of these in her house. The leaves don't like to get wet. They are African Violet, yours very beautiful.
Kelly S
on Oct 28, 2013
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I agree, it's an African Violet. They like a sunny spot but not too hot. They come in such beautiful colors, I'm sure you'll want more than one. :)
P.J.
on Oct 28, 2013
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Why do the bottom leaves droop and die? I do have it sitting by a window and it does seem to like it there! :)
Amy Connor
on Oct 28, 2013
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My guess is that the bottom leaves drop off just like we loose hair. And if you have managed to keep it alive for 2 years without knowing what it is or how to properly tend to it, you are amazing! I hear African Violets are a bit tempramental.
Nancy Spencer Carlson
on Oct 28, 2013
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you can have more if you take a leaf and stick the stem in dirt, in a few days you will have African violet babies!
Barbara B
on Oct 28, 2013
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http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/afrviolet/2004083814032457.html check out this site will tell you all you need to know... I do know that I never transplant my violets cause just as soon as I do they die,,, I think they like the smaller pots....
Jana Mattice
on Oct 28, 2013
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It is normal for some leaves to die off. However, when you water the plant, let it dry out thoroughly between waterings. Also, do not water onto the leaves or flowers. Water onto the potting mix and ensure the pot can drain properly. If the leaves get wet they rot. I have also found they quite like black tea. Of course, you need to let it cool first! When watering, try not to use ice cold water, tepid is better for these plants. If you put them in the window, ensure they are not getting full on sun all day as that will probably be too much for them, but they do need ample light. I have some I have had for many years - they are easy to keep going and less water is better than too much water!! They are a true house plant and would perish if put outside as they would not cope with rain on their leaves.
Carole
on Oct 29, 2013
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It is an african violet. Ware from the bOTTOM, do not get the leaves wet and only give it some morning sun. Yours looks beautiful!!!
Pinky S
on Oct 29, 2013
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I used to grow lots of these! I had many different colors, including pinks and purples. African Violets always did well for me in my kitchen window above the sink. I watered them a little bit every couple days. (don't wet the leaves, only the soil). They are easy to tart new ones from smply (planting) a leave. They like to be fertlized to produce the best flowers, and they like rich potting soil.
All About Rose Gardening
on Oct 29, 2013
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No direct sun. When you pick up the pot and it feels very light it's time to water it. Water from the bottom only and do not get the leaves wet.
Linda
on Oct 29, 2013
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African violets like sun in the winter, an east window is good but be careful in the summer to much sun is not good may burn the leaves. Fertilizer a while after they have finished blooming will help them to bloom again..
Bonnie Bassett
on Oct 29, 2013
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My mom grew these in her kitchen window. RIP:-)
Rosemary
on Oct 29, 2013
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africian violet
Cora
on Oct 30, 2013
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my mom also grew one of these in her kitchen window, and only watered it from the bottom, and it is a African Violet, very pretty plant.
Carol Harris
on Oct 30, 2013
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They do not like to get water on their leaves. Try watering from the bottom.
Vickie Redding
on Oct 30, 2013
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It is an african violet & likes an East or West window. Preferably west! Do not water from the top as Vickie said. Water from bottom only. They don't like soggy/soaking wet soil or the roots will rot. Don't get their leaves wet either. Pinch off the leaves that are just hanging there. Feed once a month. When blooming is done, pinch off the dead flowers when they are DRY. Your plant will love you forever if its taken care properly. Mine are booming all summer. Have them in a west window & they love it there :) Good luck!!
Julianne Vanko O'Gorman
on Oct 30, 2013
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Lots of good info from everyone. The only thing I have to add is that the outer leaves can be effected by cold window panes in the winter if kept right up against them. They turn kind of pink before falling off. The rest of the plant seems fine, however.
Claudia
on Oct 30, 2013
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Don't bother trying to find the name of this one. They are so easy to Cross pollinate. I think its a Competition to see how many you can come up with.My Mother was in the African Violet Club Of America. She would get these catalogs with all the registered names. I would just think of a name and yep it was in there lol.
Therese Ryan-Haas
on Oct 30, 2013
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I have 4 of these in my north window right over my kitchen sink. They get some morning sun . I water some on top just allowing the water to seep onto the soil and some I set in a shallow jar lid to absorb water from the bottom. I had one plant for over 12 years. My grandmother had an African violet plant that was larger than a dinner plate!!! They love well water!!!
Gloria Damron
on Oct 30, 2013
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Haven't read through all the answers but hope someone told you never to water from the top...and especially don't get water on the leaves. Your violet needs to sit in a larger pot than it is in filled with water. Once it "feels" damp on the top, remove it and it's good until the dirt feels very dry again.
Mary
on Oct 30, 2013
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My mother-in-law has them in her north-facing kitchen window and they are huge but she doesn't repot them. My mother (R.I.P.) loveed them and had a bunch. They did well because she always forgot to water her plants. She had African Violets and Philodendron everywhere!
Katrina Clevenger
on Oct 30, 2013
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It's an african violet. When you water be careful and don't get the leaves wet, it will cause them to rot. Put a plant saucer under and put water in the saucer if your pot has holes in the bottom. It will soak up as needed. If not gently hold the leaves out of the way and put the water directly into the soil. They also need a lot of light.
Joy Chapman
on Oct 30, 2013
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It is an African Violet. It was always easier to me to put water in the bottom and let it water itself, that way I knew I would not get the leaves wet. They are very beautiful plants.
Karen
on Oct 30, 2013
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I have always watered from the top and I have never had a leaf die from water being on it. I used to raise them. just take a leaf and put it in dirt and it would sprout and start a new plant. If they don't get enough light the stems will be long. I used to put them under a fluorescent light in the winter. now they have regular plant lights but the fluorescent light worked great. sometimes the bottom leaves just die to make room for the new ones that come from the middle.
Babby Blair
on Oct 30, 2013
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My Mom grew these forever and now I have quite a few. You can either set it in water and let it seep into the pot from the bottom or water from the top and not get water on the leaves. They like to be in a East facing window. Let them dry between watering and fertilize once a month or so with Africian Violet fertilizer. The pots need to be able to drain so the water doesn't stay damp.
Jodee
on Oct 30, 2013
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I have raised African Violets four 40 plus years I always watered them from the top! They were so big and bloomed year around, and impossible to water from the bottom! Some measured over 36 inches across the top! They like to be some what root bound! Just enjoy it as it is very pretty! Easy to start new ones . If you ever want to start on cut a leaf in half and put it about hale way into new potting soil and keep it damp but not wet, and soon you will see new leaves starting around it! Now you have two! Easy !! Enjoy!!
Mikell Paulson
on Oct 30, 2013
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I love African Violets. They come in singles and doubles and so many colors. You can get miniatures too. I have 7 of them in an East window and 2 in my kitchen window which faces southwest. They don't seem to mind where they go. Water from the bottom and feed them (also from the bottom) once in a while and you'll be rewarded with lots of color. They're also easy to propagate, just take a leaf, put it in soil, put something over the leaf and wait and wait and wait. If the leaf doesn't die off soon, just have patience. It's down there making roots. You're doing something right - you didn't kill it. So keep on doing whatever!
June
on Oct 30, 2013
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Mine thrive in a south window all year long. These are fun to grow, so many varieties!
Darlene Littleton
on Oct 30, 2013
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african violet-my dad loved them-kept them on top of the piano, under a lamp, with a mirror behind it-they loved it there!!!
Teresa allen
on Oct 30, 2013
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African Violet. My Grandmother had so many of these. She loved them!
Deb Nedeau
on Oct 30, 2013
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A beautiful African Violet. Clip off all the dead or dying leaves. This is called "dead heading'. Do not over water. Do not set this in direct sunlight. Enjoy your plant. You can easily start a new plant by putting a piece of plastic wrap over a juice glass of water. Poke a small hole in the plastic and ease a leaf into the water. Soon you will have roots on the end of the leaf. Replant in a small vase with a water source on the bottom. Soon you will have another plant! Good luck!
Jane
on Oct 30, 2013
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Turn your plants a little bit every day--this will stimulate your plants to stand up straight.
Jane
on Oct 30, 2013
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African Violet go to wall mart--get the planter that has insert--for african violets: fill the base half full with water and then place the plant into the other half of the planter. Place one inside of the other keeps my violets alive for now 4 years. only way to do it.
Mary Hare
on Oct 30, 2013
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I had 20+ at one time, never got one from Wal-Mart (of a color I didn't have) and I guess it had a disease of some kind. Within 2 weeks all but one of them died. Very disappointed to put it mildly. Enjoy yours!
Kim 'Kiewatt' Waknitz
on Oct 30, 2013
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Check out pintrest they have all kinds of info, and repotting tips
Delena W
on Oct 30, 2013
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AFRICAN VIOLET
Robin Miller Cresci
on Oct 30, 2013
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The bigger the container , the larger they will grow. Just don't over or under water. They don't like to be moved around to much. Very rewarding plant. My fav.
Brenda Barton
on Oct 31, 2013
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we in germany say to this plant Usambara Veilchen
Barbara Volz
on Oct 31, 2013
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Although the general rule is to water from the bottom, salts collect from fertilizer and need to occasionally be flushed from the top. If you gently lift the leaves, it's not difficult to keep the leaves dry.
Claudia
on Oct 31, 2013
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This is a african violet keep in partly sunshine, About every week turn the pot complete around. where all sides get same sunlight. very popular in the south..
Kay247650
on Oct 31, 2013
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I love African Violets. I used to grow them in my kitchen under cabinets with a grow light..
Eunice W
on Nov 02, 2013
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african violet
Margaret Jensen
on Nov 11, 2013
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African violet
Diane Ray
on Dec 15, 2013
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Amy, it is an African violet. They come in many colors and some variegated designs. As they grow their bottom leaves do fall off. They flourish in eastern windows.
Rosalie M
on Dec 16, 2013
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Pretty African violet. Be sure to read up on them. requires special care
Dellison
on Dec 16, 2013
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Used to have a house full of African violets in many colors, single and double blooms. My current house is too small for many plants. All the advice listed above is accurate and should be helpful. African violets do not do well in terracotta pots because the pots get cold. Leaves that touch the terra cotta will get damage and die. Enjoy your plant.
Sandy
on Dec 16, 2013
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if you take a very thin sharp blade and cut one of the fleshy leaves off as close to the base as possible then place it in tepid water on a mildy warm sunny window ledge it will grow a good bushy root system from the end of the stem and even if you do lose your original plant you will have spares to start again with good luck this has never ever failed for me
Felicity Woodruffe
on Dec 16, 2013
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African violet. Do not water these from the top of the pot. They need to be watered from the bottom. Water rots them, like the two dead looking leaves you have on this one. It is beautiful though.
Terry Robinson
on Dec 16, 2013
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An african violet. water from the bottom, not the top. water on the leaves will make them rot.!
Bonnie Jones
on Dec 17, 2013
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Fiołek afrykański (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Basia
on Mar 25, 2014
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Best plant to make one feel like a failure.......... or a success if lucky. Hate 'em ;-)
Sherry LaSota
on Mar 25, 2014
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Years ago a neighbor told me if I wanted the leaves more upright to cut a paper plate, one cut to the center, then a round hole for the plant. Then put near the base and use a paperclip to hold plate at the correct angle for bottom leaves to rest on it. They will then grow more upright. She said the competitors in flower composition did this for a balanced plant. I had a few plants, single and doubles and a couple of colors.
Muriel
on Mar 25, 2014
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African Violet, likes morning sun, water from below when possible, does not like wet feet. If you let it in the same pot for awhile, it will send off some babies that you can re-pot to have a little family.
Helen
on Mar 25, 2014
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African violet
Donata
on Jun 02, 2014
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You have the answer. African Violet. My mother in law kept them all the time but I just kept killing the one I tried. Kept it too wet I think.
Elizabeth Poteat
on Jun 16, 2014
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You said you repoted it, which is a pity, because when they are pot-bound, they will have more blooms. Also, I don't know about the paper plate, because you will find that when they are thirsty, the leaves are flatter. After you water (only in the bottom of the saucer) it they will stand up. You are lucky that not knowing what it was, you didn't kill it! They are so easy to root though, (Thanks Felicity) try to find find friends with different colour blooms, and do exchanges.
Linda T
on Jun 17, 2014
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