African violet leaves are curling under. Too much water, not enough ?

Laraine Hicks
by Laraine Hicks
Is in an African violet pot. Repotted couple months ago into new pot.
  16 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 19, 2017

    what soil did you use? At any point was the plant exposed to cold or leaves exposed to water?

  • Laraine Hicks Laraine Hicks on Mar 19, 2017

    Used soil that came with plant. May have gotten cold. Was away for couple weeks and turned furnace to 65, but not that cold. Pot has two pots, one holds water, other holds plant.

  • Bluebird Bluebird on Mar 20, 2017

    Always water from the bottom

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 20, 2017

    The leaves look like it was to cold. Re-pot the plant in african violet soil and see if the plant perks up.

  • Toni Mccall Toni Mccall on Mar 20, 2017

    I think it does that if you get water on the leaves, or it's too much water.

  • Karen V Karen V on Mar 20, 2017

    Google it... Usually will have the best​ answers.

  • Judy smith Judy smith on Mar 20, 2017

    to much water, let completely dry out

  • Claude Claude on Mar 20, 2017

    That pretty pot has no drainage...put it into a cheap plastic pot that drains and indirect sunlight...watering it by sitting pot in a dish of water 10 min and then draining it. Water your plants on the same day of the week and you won't forget.

    • Sheryl Sumpter Sheryl Sumpter on Mar 20, 2017

      That pretty pot is actually 2 pots (one inside the other) the water is absorbed through the interior pot - the plant does not sit in water. Cold or drafts can do this and NEVER touch the leaves, as the acid in your skin can cause the leaves to die.

  • Djs15074630 Djs15074630 on Mar 20, 2017

    I have noticed with my African violets, that when the leaves touch anything, like the pot, even a window, the leaves will start to die. They are a bit of extra work but well worth it when they reward us with beautiful blooms. Good luck!

  • Mary Wheeler Mary Wheeler on Mar 20, 2017

    My grandma grew beautiful African Violets, her secret was waxed paper between the leaves and soil. She said the Violets hated to be in the dirt. She always watered from the bottom saucer as well. Best wishes!!

  • Claude Claude on Mar 20, 2017

    Well...the only pots that I find to be effective are the ones with wicks...otherwise if the lower pot is full and touching water..that is too damp. They like to dry out somewhat and those pots keep it too wet. Water on the leaves combined with direct sunlight. Causes those brown spots with photosynthesis...too much of a good thing. But you can mist to your hearts content. You are right about the temp though ...that can do the leaf curl...along with not enough indirect light.

  • Lyndell Robinson Lyndell Robinson on Mar 21, 2017

    http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2012/11/my-african-violet-growing-guide/

    suggests clay pots, and from my own experience the plants like to be pot bound.

  • Robin Corzilius Robin Corzilius on Mar 21, 2017

    I agree with the water situation. I don't like to 2 part pots. I have mine in well drain pots. Water once a week and I don't from the bottom. Leaves can get wet but don't let them stay wet. My experience is a sick violet is usually a (dying) dead violet. Take a healthy leaf or two and start a new one. They can be fussy about the light so once you find a 'happy' spot don't move them.

  • Carol S. Christy Carol S. Christy on Mar 23, 2017

    Mine is 10 yrs old in direct sun water three times a week in the center.... but 1/2 cup. Huge beautiful blooms in a large plastic pot!

  • V Smith V Smith on Mar 24, 2017

    Here's what I have found to be true of my African Violets. Plant them in a well drained plastic pot (clay pots can rob them of some of their water) and water from the bottom. Lots of light without direct sun. Feed them African Violet fertilizer for more flowers and healthier plants. When they are in a growth spurt sometimes the older leaves are sacrificed to new growth. I haven't tried the wax paper under the leaves but I like that idea as long as it doesn't trap too much moisture. I have had a second plant pop up in the pot with another and then the original plant drop dead. Mine seem to like northern light and they are very bountiful when there is snow to reflect more light into the window. Once you get them going it is hard not to become an old plant lady.

  • Mouseda7 Mouseda7 on Mar 27, 2017

    The water should be room temperature, or as close as possible in temperature to the air around your plants. When the water is too cold, it chills the roots of African Violets, causing leaves to curl down as the water is absorbed into the plant. Also, if watering from the top, cold water can cause leaf spotting. Remember these are tropical plants.