How to get beautiful African violets - Watering

Violets should be watered when the soil surface is dry. It is best to water the plant directly on the surface of the pot. The surface watering dissolves  accumulated salts. Water on the leaves can cause stains, especially if the plant is exposed to direct sunlight.

The conditions in the wild are different from the artificial indoor  condition of  your house.  The African violets in the wild are plants from the lower strata. They are not exposed to direct sunlight. The water can damage the cells of the leaf  by amplifying  the light coming from a direct source. It is not the water itself but the heat produced from the light amplification that affects the sensitive cells of the plant. Sometimes, the water of our city contains numerous chemicals as chlorine. These chemicals can also damage the cells of the leaves.

When the soil of the pot is well soaked with water, empty the surplus in the saucer. Too much water can rot the roots. The water temperature should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. Cold water affects the cells of the leaves which can damage them. The best time to water the plant is in the morning. Watering late in the day increases the chances that a fungal disease develops. The African violet is a tropical plant, it is very sensitive to sudden temperature changes. This sensitivity manifests itself even at the temperature of the watering water. In particular, when the temperature is colder than room temperature.