African Violets are such charming little bloomers for your windowsill! They aren’t very demanding when it comes to care, and the best part? They are incredibly easy to propagate. You can actually start new plants pretty much any time of year.
How to Propagate African Violets
Growing new plants from your favorite African Violet is a breeze, and you’ve got a few different ways to go about it:
- Leaf cuttings
- Starting from seed
- Dividing the plant
Propagating with Leaf Cuttings
This is by far the most popular way to grow new African Violets. While you can do this anytime, April and May are the “sweet spot” months for the best results. Here’s how you do it:
- Get a small starter pot ready with a mix of peat and sand.
- Snip off a large, healthy leaf (including the stem) from your mother plant.
- Stick the stem about 3/4 of an inch (2 cm) deep into the soil.
- Give it a little water to keep the soil lightly moist.
- To keep things humid, pop a clear plastic bag over the pot.
- Don’t forget to lift the bag daily for a quick “air out” to prevent mold.
- If the leaf is floppy, you can prop it up with a toothpick or matchstick.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm spot (but out of direct sun).
- In about six weeks, roots should form and you’ll see tiny new leaves popping up.
- Once it’s established, your baby African Violet is ready for its permanent home!
Propagating from Seed
If you want to try growing from seed, it’s best to buy them from a reputable garden center. Use a shallow seed tray filled with a low-nutrient substrate, like coconut coir or cactus mix. Sprinkle the seeds on top, but don’t cover them with soil. African Violets are “light germinators,” meaning they need light to wake up. Just press them down gently and mist with water.
Keep the tray in a bright spot around 72°F (22°C). Keep the soil consistently moist and use a plastic cover to create a mini-greenhouse effect—just remember to vent it daily so things don’t get moldy.
You’ll see sprouts in as little as a week! Since they tend to grow in thick clusters, you’ll need to “prick them out” (thin them) early. Move the seedlings into their own individual pots or space them out significantly. Keep the youngsters in a warm, bright area, but keep them safe from harsh, direct sunlight.
Propagating by Division
When an African Violet gets too big for its britches, it’s time to repot it into a larger container. While you’re at it, you can actually divide the plant into two. However, most hobbyists find leaf cuttings so much easier that this method isn’t used nearly as often.
