Weekly Watering Is Too Much Water For Houseplants

Q: I have had a little African violet for one year. A couple of blossoms opened around its birthday. Since then the leaves are curling under and very limp. Is there a cure? I water weekly by putting the pot in a container with water and leave it for a few minutes before removing. Any advice? 

A: Sounds like there’s too little light and too much water. The plant needs to be in a window that’s bright but doesn’t get direct sunshine.  

Take a sheet of copy paper and put it where the African violet sits normally. Hold your hand 12 inches above the paper. Your hand’s shadow should be sharply distinct on the paper. If it’s not, you have too little light. 

If you don’t want to move it, you can shine a grow light on it. I have been very impressed with my SANSI LED grow light. It screws into a reflector fixture and replicates regular sunshine. 

Watering may be your major issue. African violets like well-drained soil and hate to have waterlogged roots. If roots stand in soggy soil, root rot ensues. You are smart to water from below because it keeps water off the leaves, which would cause leaf spotting. 

To fix the situation, gently take the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. Healthy roots are white and firm. If they are brown and mushy, remove all of them with sterilized scissors. If there are a few healthy roots, your plant may recover.  

To prevent root rot from happening in the first place, make sure to use a potting soil mix made for African violets. Regular indoor potting soil holds too much water.  

Don’t water your African violets if the soil is still moist from the previous watering. Touch the soil firmly with a finger. Don’t water until your finger comes up dry.  

In my experience, weekly watering is too much water for most houseplants.