Grow Your Own African Violet Family!
Want more of those beautiful African Violets? Guess what? It’s super easy (and budget-friendly!) to create new plants from the ones you already have. This simple guide will walk you through taking leaf cuttings and turning them into adorable baby violets.
Seriously, this method has worked like a charm for me every single time, and I’m confident you’ll have great success too! The best part? It hardly costs a thing!
Too busy to dive in right now? Pin this for later so you can come back when you’re ready!
(Yep, this post has affiliate links! If you click and buy something, I might get a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. Win-win!)
Let’s Get Growing!
First things first, you’ll need a “mama” plant – the one you’ll be taking leaf cuttings from. Don’t have one? Ask a friend or check out some of my beauties below. And hey, at the end of this post, I’ll share my secret source for AMAZING, unusual African Violets… but be warned, they are so gorgeous you might end up with more than you planned!
Snip, Snip Hooray! ✂️
Grab a clean, sharp pruner or pair of scissors and carefully cut a leaf from your African Violet. Aim for about 1-2 inches of stem attached to the leaf – that’s our planting anchor!
Now, I’ve heard that leaves from the middle of the plant, that are medium-sized, are better than the big outer leaves. Honestly, I can’t say for sure if it makes a difference, but I usually follow that advice just to be on the safe side!
Label, Label! ️
Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later for labeling your cuttings! I use a Sharpie to write the name or color of the “mama” plant on the back of the leaf, and also on the little pot it’ll be living in.
I love these small 3-inch terra cotta pots for this!
Potting Power!
For the potting mix, I use a general, good-quality potting soil without any added fertilizers. Or, you can whip up your own mix with compost and perlite – two parts screened compost and one part perlite. I fill the pots within 1/4 inch of the top.
Rooting hormone is optional! Sometimes I use it, sometimes I don’t.
If you’re using rooting hormone, dip the cut stem in it before gently planting it in the soil. If your soil is dry, the stem will slide right in easily.
I pop two leaves into each pot, making sure only the stem is underground and the leaves aren’t touching the pot or the soil. Give them a good watering, let them drain, and double-check those leaves aren’t making contact with anything!
Cozy Greenhouse Vibes
Now, for the magic touch! Place the small pots in a plastic container with a lid (like a clear storage bin). This creates a lovely humid environment, like a mini terrarium, which the leaves will adore!
Once they’re nestled in their plastic home, they’ll barely need any watering. Just peek in once a week to make sure the soil is still moist. Find a spot that gets bright, indirect sunlight, and let the waiting game begin!
Patience is a Virtue (and a Violet!) ⏳
Keep in mind that different African Violet varieties can take different amounts of time to root. I had one crazy plant that took almost TWO YEARS to finally sprout baby plants! Seriously! I thought it was a lost cause, but the mama leaf stayed healthy as could be and just took its sweet time.
Meanwhile, most of my other cuttings root and send up babies within a few months. So, be patient, don’t give up, and trust the process!
Where to Find Your Violet Fix
You can often find African Violets in the plant section of grocery stores or at your local garden center. But, if you’re looking for something truly special, check out this place – they’re African Violet experts and have an incredible selection!
Privacy matters! You can unsubscribe anytime.
And here’s another spot with a beautiful selection: Optimara Violets!
When those leaves finally sprout plantlets, I’ll be back with a guide on how to pot them up and get them growing big and strong!
Update!
Here is a post on how to pot up African Violet babies that have rooted!
Wishing you tons of success with your propagating adventures! Have fun and happy gardening!