African Violet Care – How to Separate Crowns
I bought my first pot of African violet a few months ago. While the newly acquired African violet is blossoming beautifully, I didn’t aware but only until another gardener pointed out to me that my African violet actually had multiple crowns.
As a curious gardening novice who like to try different things, I decided to take up this challenge and separate the crowns. It has been almost three months since I separated the crowns. Seeing that the separated crowns of my African violets are now growing healthily, I consider this “operation” as a successful one. And here, let me share with you how I did it.
This was my African violet three months ago. As you can see, the plant was very messy, jam-packed with its leaves shooting to all directions.
First, I allowed my African violet to dry slightly so the compost was loose and the leaves were rubbery. This helps preventing the roots and leaves from breaking easily when one tries to separate the crowns.
I picked out all the unhealthy leaves from the plant. You can also do this after removing the plant from its pot.
Then I removed the plant from its pot, shook away any excess compost and exposed the root ball.
After some careful examination, I found two distinct root systems. With a clean sharp knife, I cut between the root systems. I feel like a doctor doing a surgery.
Since there were existing roots on the crowns, both of them could be placed directly into fresh compost. If the crown is an offshoot without its own root system, then it is better to first be placed in water to permit root development.
The two African violets, which I have separated there months ago, are growing strong and healthily now.
This is so good Sandy! Thank you for showing the process. I have not planted African Violet before. Maybe one day I will try. I was told you can’t let the leaves go wet right? otherwise the leaves will rot. That means water the base/root only right?
Yes Stephanie, we shouldn’t keep the leaves wet. I always dry the leaves if they get wet after watering
I transfer my African Violet to outdoor under the tree, and it’s still survive over the cold winter. Amazing! Thanks for your wonderful post, I’m enjoying your blog, just add it to my favorite blog list.
Wow, surely amazing it is! Vue Jardin, where do you live? Sounds like you have a very hardy African violet if it can grow outdoor and survive over a cold winter huh
And thank you for adding my blog to your favorites.
I need some suggestions for my African violet! I have had it for about three years and it has only bloomed once…when I first got it. I just recently transferred it to an “African violet” pot. It’s just one pot inside another really. Do I need to seperate it somehow?
Hi Lisa,
If your African violet is growing beautifully, with green leaves and healthy roots, but only that it never flowers, then it is mostly a problem of fertilizer or insufficient sunlight. Fertilize your African violet with a relatively high concentration of phosphorus (the P in N-P-K). As for sunlight, African violet prefers bright, indirect sunlight. It will stop blooming if we put it on the coffee table in the middle of the living room where there is little light. Hope this help
Happy gardening!
Hi I have never repotted an African Violet and about to try it from your advice I have read on here.
I have been lucky enough to propogate some leaves thta have grown and was wondering if a bonsai pot could be used or are they too shallow?
Many thanks hope to hear from you soon
Hi Debbie,
How big is the bonsai pot? African violet likes to grow in a small pot. For a baby African violet with just a few leaves, a 1.5″ pot will be perfect.
Happy Gardening!
Hi. I am young and I love growing many African Violets. But I have never had more than one crown before. I have three Violets, two just babies, but one that has four different crowns. They are all getting very big. What do you do if you don’t have the time to slightly dry the soil?
Hi Jewel,
Do you mean that you can’t wait till the soil is dried up before separating the crowns? It is okay if the soil is slightly moist. But we have to be extra careful when handling the roots. It is easier to damage the roots when the roots and soil are wet.
Hope this help. Happy gardening!
Okay. Thanks. I am actully just about to begin. I hope that I do it right! But if I accidently snap off a leaf, can I just put it in water to have it sprout roots?
Hi. I just bought a plant, but I was wondering, where can I learn what type of violet I have, and do different types grow different? Also, what does it mean if the edges of my leaves are brown?
I hope you answer soon.
Hi Diana, I borrowed a book from the library with photos and names of different types of African violet. I bet there are many books as such available in your local book stores, or online.
When the edges of the leaves have turned brown, your plant may have been burnt due to over-fertilizing. And if all the leaves of your plants are dropping really low, you may have put your African violet in an area too sunny.
I do not fertilize my Violet. I don’t have any. So I make do without. I consider myself very successful for still having a beautiful, healthy plant.
But I also do not think that I give it too much light. I have several violets, and it is only one of them that I have this problem. Also, do you really need to keep your violet in a humid place? If so, then I might need to.
hi,
this is the first time for me to get an african violet, I like it alot, but I want to put it outdoor, not in my garden… but in the center of an outdoor table, where there is no direct sunlight, so Is it ok to do this? also I read that it should be kept dry, do you mean if the leaves get wet, they dont live longer? so what if it will rain or windy, should I bring it inside?
Thanks.
P.S: I am new in gardening.
Hi Nada,
Due to its sunlight and temperature requirements, African violet is best suitable to be grown indoor. African violet should be grown in temperature between 60-80 degrees F. If the weather drops lower than 60 degrees or rises higher than 80 degrees, the plant will suffer (ie: the plant may go into shock and begin to wilt). And it is definitely easier to control indoor temperature than outdoor one.
Have fun gathering!