Repotting African violets regularly helps them grow and bloom better.
Bob Stefko
African violets are long-lived plants that can gracehouseplant collectionsfor up to 50 years.
Signs that your violets need repotting include stunted growth, reduced flowering, pot-bound roots, and drooping leaves.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Know when to repot.
Most African violet enthusiasts recommend repottingevery six months.
The plants might also need to be repotted if theyre growing in a pot that is too large.
Oversized pots are moresusceptible to overwatering, which leads to root rot.
Choose the right pot size.
When repotting African violets, reuse your old pot orselect a new growing container.
Try an azalea pot.
To sterilize old pots, submerge them in a10% bleach solution for 30 minutes.
Select quality potting mix.
When its finally time to repot your African violets, use a fresh potting mix thats well-draining.
Try inverting the plant pot over your hand and gently shaking the African violet out.
Remove damaged leaves and old flowers.
Repotting is the perfect time to clean up the lines of your African violets and pinch away dead flowers.
This helps your plant conserve energy and makes it easier for it to adjust after repotting.
African violets can sometimes suffer from transplant shock after repotting.
This boosts the humidity levels around the plant and helps it acclimate more quickly.
Experiment with propagation (optional).
Even with careful handling, a stem or leaf may break off during the repotting process.
