African violets are among the finest houseplants available.
This is why it is important to properly support them with the care they require. Both food and water are essential to plant growth and to be successful with basic care of African violets we must feed it nutrients.
It’s also vital to keep in mind houseplants depend upon a grower for nutrients much more than outdoor plant growing situations.
It is important to know what type of fertilizer to use and how to apply it to the African violet as not all fertilizers are consistent in their effectiveness.
To Keep In Mind – African violets in particular need water-soluble fertilizer at the right balance of nutrients to benefit this plant.
Do I need to use fertilizers on my African Violets?
Caring for African violets is very easy.
To get a good blossom you will need:
- Water
- Heat
- And some good light
African violets will keep on flowering throughout the year, and you will need to feed them extra nutrients with blossoms in mind.
It is also the same with most plants, including African violets, in that they require soluble vitamins and micro and macronutrients to support growth and health.
The fertilizers they will need will need to be soluble and in the ratio that they need.
You will want to use a balanced fertilizer along with the main nutrients that are needed.
Which typically are:
- Phosphorous
- Potassium
- Nitrogen and some minerals
Nitrogen is essential for the growth of the stems and leaves, phosphorous is required for healthy roots and sufficient flowering, whilst potassium has a role for the movement and accretion (as well as development) of carbohydrates to the African violet plant in their lifespan.
What are the best fertilizers for African violets?
African violets require a specific percentage of nutrients in fertilizers to stay healthy.
The ideal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium is 14-12-14.
Several brands of fertilizers can be useful for African violets and I will cover some of the best available.
Fertilizer can come in several forms as different types of slow and fast-acting, either liquid or solid form as a granule.
The slow fertilizer releases nutrients to the potting soil as soon as it is used and feeds the plant nutrients for, typically, two months.
The fast-release is in powdered or liquid form and needs to be diluted with water prior to watering the soil.
They are used to water the plant and after dosing, it releases nutrients to the plant immediately and is helpful when you need to give a little push on the plants to bloom or optimal growth.
You will use the fast-relief type of fertilizer more often during the growing cycle, than slow-release types.
4 Best Fertilizers For African Violets
1. EZ Gro African Violet Food 10-30-20
Key Features
- It contains phosphorus
- Comes with a Micronutrient package
- It has an NPK ratio of 10-30-20
Offering a free urea fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) ratio of 10-30-20.
Therefore, it excels in providing nutrients that promote healthy foliage, support strong leaf formation at the leaf buds while providing protection against ammonium toxicity.
The fertilizer is also known for promoting stocky stems and vigorous root and bud growth and brilliant blooms.
It is also compounded with Micronutrient Package to deliver the very best mix of nutrients for large, beautiful blooms.
The best part of this concentrated liquid fertilizer is that it is fast-acting. It immediately feeds the plant nutrients, promoting growth and greening in your African violet plants.
Pros
- Urea-free, meaning it protects important microbes
- Great for blooming flowers
Cons
- The measuring cup is not built to last for long
Furthermore, it has a high phosphorus level that helps promote flowering and makes your house fill flowers more than ever.
As previously suggested, feed your plants with the measuring cup every 7-14 days while in the growth cycle.
2. Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food
Key Features
- Sold in two packs
- It is in liquid form
- Contains non-plant food ingredients
African violet fertilizer is formulated specifically for African violets, but can work well, too, with other plants such as orchids. It’s a water-soluble organic food fertilizer.
Furthermore, it contains other helpful microbes and macronutrients needed to keep the plant healthy throughout its growing cycle.
Main ingredients are hydrolyzed fish, soy protein, hydrolyzed poultry manure, bone meal, and potassium sulfate.
Use for two to four weeks, mixing with water and pouring into the soil of the pot, but avoid any contact with the plant itself.
There is a measuring cup included for convenience. In use, simply tilt the screw cap bottle upside down in your hands while tightly closed.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It is organic
Cons
- Can be harmful to plants when used excess
Tilt it back up, open the lid, and the dose will stay at the cap in the amount intended
However, always remember to follow the directions on the label.
3. Jack Classic Special African Violet Fertilizer
Key Features
- The recommended usage ratio is 1/8 tsp per gallon of water
- Contains Urea Nitrogen
- It is a slow release fertilizer
This is a slow-release fertilizer, to apply you will dilute it with water and pour it directly on the soil. The reason this fertilizer is good for foliage development is that it has urea nitrogen.
Specifically, Ammoniacal Nitrogen – 3.39%; Nitrate Nitrogen – 0.94%; Urea Nitrogen – 7.67%.
It is always worth noting that African violets can be a bit sensitive to fertilizers that contain urea nitrogen as the nitrogen source.
Therefore, avoid over-fertilizing and stick to the directions provided by the manufacturer.
This high level of urea nitrogen is certainly good for reproductive development with blooming results. In addition, the nutrient component is helpful for establishing photosynthesis and leaf growth.
Because it is slow-release, you want to allow the nutrients to flow slowly into the roots for up to 4 months of steady and steady growth.
This allows you to not spend a lot on time and provides the plant with a steady diet of nutrients to leave strong healthy leaves and blooms.
Pros
- Can be used both indoor and outdoor plants
- One tub can last for six months
- Contains micronutrients
Cons
- If you over-fertilize, the African violet will have more leaves and fewer flowers.
- African Violets are sensitive to urea
This improved micronutrient package ensures proper nutrition for healthy root systems and vibrant foliage.
When applied as instructed it has the highest safety factor against burning. A free scooper is included to make an easy and precise application.
4. Earth Pods premium African violet food
Key Features
- It contains 100 capsules which are Natural plant food spikes
- It is a slow-release fertilizer
- It does not contain urea
If you’re someone who is interested in being eco-conscious, this is the product for you. The fertilizer is natural and extremely eco-friendy as compared with most modern fertilizers.
It is also safer for both pets and children as compared to the other African violet fertilizers.
If you dislike the smell of other fertilizers, then this a the best product for you.
For instructions of use, you will need to dig in the slow-release capsules a few inches into the potting soil, you can water normally and wait for it to do its job.
The capsules contains organic root fungi, humic acids, and bacteria.
The fertilizer also has organic micro and macronutrients for the healthy growth of foliage and flowers.
Pros
- Effective and simple to use
- Easy to store
- Environmentally friendly.
- It does not produce any stinky smell
- It is versatile and can be used for other plants such as calatheas
Cons
- Takes time to release nutrients
- It is expensive
The capsules should be popped every two weeks for the best results. After some time, the roots will be healthy and vibrant, and the flowers will display very attractive colors.
Earth pod is a little more expensive, but the reviews and results do all the talking.
How And When Do I Feed My African Violet Plants With Fertilizers?
Before using any fertilizer, the very first thing to do is read the label.
Fertilizers come labeled to help you with the correct dose, so you do not go above and beyond your plants’ needs.
Here are the main points:
- As a rule of thumb, most fertilizers should be applied every four to six weeks during their growing season, but this may vary greatly based on your fertilizer product.
- Spring is the best time to fertilize plants because during this time, plants are growing leaves and flowers, urging you to grow with that trend and apply a fertilizer in early spring, if possible.
- Furthermore, some fertilizers are water soluble fertilizers, so you must also take into consideration how often you will be watering your plants. For example, African violets prefer a regular rain period and they will enjoy less watering.
- The best way to determine when to water your plants is to touch the soil near the base of the plant. If the soil is dry to the touch, then when you water the plant is just about ready for watering. Do not overwater the plants if it will result in wilting and yellowing leaves.
- Finally, basic safety practices are also required in when using fertilizers. For example, do not touch the fertilizer and keep pet and child reach away from fertilizer.
Fertilizers should be stored in a dry, cool, and dark place.
Do not use household items to fertilize the plants, but stick to using the containers designated to you.
In addition, try to be precise in your measurements, so that you do not have excessive diluted fertilizers draining into sinks or sewage systems as well.
How do I know I have over fertilized my plants?
- Expansion of dark brown spots specifically on the tips or center of the leaves.
- The leaves begin to crack, wilt, or become dry and brittle.
- Formation of orange crystallization on leaf hairs.
- Formation of crusty white salt around the edges of the pot, signaling that there are excess fertilizer salts in the soil.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor plants differ from indoor plants since indoor plants will need the grower to supply them with a source of nutrients to flourish and bloom.
Therefore, the use of fertilizers is vital for indoor plants, such as African violets.
As discussed earlier, several commercial-grade fertilizer formulations provide a balanced source of nutrients that are created explicitly for African violets.
Although it may be tempting to fertilize plants more frequently than is adequate, over-fertilizing should be avoided. Therefore, it is essential to read the instructions that accompany the fertilizers prior to using them.