Mistakes that Kill African Violet Flowers Before They Open and stop blooms from growing. Learn about common errors that cause buds to dry out, drop, or fail indoors.
African violets are loved for their soft, fuzzy leaves and bright, cheerful flowers. But you may be worried when buds appear and then turn brown. This problem is very common—and the good news is that it’s usually caused by small care Mistakes that kill African Violet Flowers Before They Open.
Mistakes that Kill African Violet Flowers Before They Open
1. Not providing sufficient light
Want healthy blooms for your African violets? Provide them with bright and indirect light for 10-12 hours a day near an east- or north- facing window. If natural light is low, use a grow light for the same duration. Too little light will cause buds to form weakly and dry out before opening. And too much direct sunlight will scorch and kill buds.
2. Not focusing on roots
African violet blooms best when slightly root-bound, but not cramped. Use a pot that is too large and let the plant focus its energy on growing a larger root system instead of flowers. When roots have no space left, buds fail to open, and to fix this, repot once a year into a pot only one size bigger than the root ball.
3. Shocking them with Extreme Temperatures
These beauties are sensitive to temperature stress. The sudden fluctuation in temperature or exposure to cold drafts and heaters will lead to stunted growth, wilted leaves, and ultimately the loss of buds and flowers. Maintain a steady temperature between 65–75°F and keep the plants away from open windows and vents.
4. No attention to humidity levels
These plants are native to warm and humid regions. The dry air causes the delicate buds to shrivel up and drop before opening. Keep humidity around 50–60% by placing the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water, but don’t let the pot sit in water. Use a humidifier, if required.
5. Watering must be measured
The biggest reason to see the fallen buds of your African violets. Overwatering your plant will lead to root rot, and the buds turn soft and fall off. The trick with water is to let the potting mix dry out completely, especially when they are in budding condition. Underwatering can cause the buds to bloom before they are fully developed. Use room temperature water when watering, as African violets hate cold water. Never splash cold water on the leaves or buds, as it will give a shock to the plant, causing buds to stop developing and die.
6. Feeding needs to be fixed
Buds need nutrients to open into flowers. Both under-fertilizing and over-fertilizing are detrimental. If there is a lack of phosphorus and calcium, that means the plant cannot support flower development. Too much fertilizer burns the roots, leading to a buildup of mineral salts. Feed them with a balanced fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 weeks during active growth.
