Best Fertilizer for African Violets – Fertilizing Tips & Tricks

African Violets are very popular among houseplants because of their velvety-looking leaves and long-lasting blooming season.

They are also easy to propagate and grow. You just have to follow a few straightforward rules to have them happy.

Water techniques and the amount of light needed are only two of these rules, but fertilizing is also very important for African Violets.

It is important how to feed and what to use as a fertilizer. Because not all of the fertilizers are suitable for African Violets.

African Violets need to be fed in order to be healthy, but they need water-soluble fertilizer and the ratio of the nutrients need to be developed especially for the plant’s need.

In this article, I will review five African Violets fertilizers and I will talk about how and when to fertilize these plants.

Best Fertilizer for African Violets

African Violets need a certain percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace minerals in their fertilizer. The recommended ratio for these ingredients is 14-12-14 for African Violets.

You can find many formulas in commerce that are made especially for African Violets.

These are 5 of the best fertilizers for African Violets that I recommend.

1. Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food

Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food is specially designed for African Violets but it can be also used for orchids and bromeliads.

This fertilizer is organic food that is water-soluble and feeds the plant instantly.

Espoma Organic Violet Plant Food contains all the major plant nutrients and millions of beneficial microbes that help to enhance the plant’s health and help it bloom for a long time.

It is made out of hydrolyzed poultry manure, hydrolyzed fish and soy protein, bone meal and potassium sulfate.

This fertilizer can be used every 2 to 4 weeks by mixing it with water and then adding it directly to the soil, avoiding the leaves, or pouring it into the saucer.

The bottle has a measuring cap, so, it is easy to prepare it. Always shake the bottle before using the fertilizer.

To measure out the dosage, turn the bottle upside down, while the cap is closed. Then turn it back upright and open the lid and the pre-measured dose will be in the cap. Then pour the mix into 1 quarter of water.

However, you should always read the label and follow the directions.

2. Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food

Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food is another liquid fertilizer that is perfect for flowering houseplants.

This formula is specially made to help the plants grow more flowers and keep the foliage healthy. It contains the essential nutrients and a higher percentage of phosphorus.

Because this fertilizer has a pump, you really cannot go wrong with the dosage.

It can also be used very easily. You can add it to the water or you can add the solution directly to the plant’s soil or saucer.

For small pots should be used 2 pumps and pots larger than 6 inches/ 15 cm can be used 5 pumps.

Miracle-Gro Blooming Houseplant Food can be used weekly.

From time to time, you should clean the pump to avoid clogging, so you can measure the dosage properly.

3. EarthPods Premium African Violet Plant Food

Do you hate the smell of the fertilizers? Do you hate the mess that comes with the preparation of the mix and you are not sure how to measure them?

Then EarthPod Premium African Violet Plant Food is the perfect fertilizer for you. It is a natural and eco-friendly fertilizer that is safe for children and pets.

You just pop the recommended number of slow-release capsules into the soil of your plant and water normally. In time, this will make the roots explode with growth.

Apply every 14 days for the best results.

The capsules contain organic plant root fungi, bacteria and humic acids. EartPods also contain 70+ micro and macronutrients and minerals that ensure the healthy growth of the foliage and flowers with vivid color.

4. Bonide Liquid African Violet Plant Food

Bonie Liquid African Violet Plant Food is another water-soluble fertilizer that can be used every time you water your plants and promotes beautiful blooms.

This is formulated especially for African Violets; therefore, it contains a low level of urea. This means the nitrogen level is perfect for African Violets and will not kill the naturally occurring beneficial microbes from the soil.

Using 1/8 teaspoon of formula mixed with one quart of water makes a perfect dosage for your African Violets for each week.

5. Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food

Schultz African Violet Plus Liquid Plant Food is very easy to apply. Its unique droplet applicator helps you to measure the formula with no fuss.

You put 7 drops into one quart of water and then water your African Violets as usual. Because of its 8-14-9 formula, this fertilizer can be used for every singer watering.

This fertilizer sends the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the African Violets’ roots and helps the plant grow healthy and strong. It also stimulates flower production.

How and When to Fertilize African Violets?

Before I am saying anything about the procedure and timing of the fertilizing, I must say that you should always read the labels of your fertilizer.

It is important to avoid over-fertilizing and fertilizers should be used as directed and with the proper dosage as it is advised on the label.

Usually, African Violets’ fertilizers are used every 4 to 6 weeks, but as I presented you above, some of them can be used weekly or whenever you water your plant.

You should fertilize your African Violets from spring to autumn, and leave them to rest during the winter. Even if they bloom, they grow slower, and they don’t need fertilizer.

Are Coffee Grounds Good for African Violets?

Coffee Grounds are highly acidic and adding this to any soil, that also becomes acidic.

As African Violets prefer acidic soil, coffee grounds can be a very good and natural fertilizer for these plants.

However, you should be also careful with the amount of coffee ground you are using. Too much caffeine can lead to stunt growth and increase the risk of fungal disease.

You can add coffee ground from time to time to the soil. Just apply it on the top of the soil and then mix them a little bit.

You can also water your African Violets with water that contains coffee grounds.

Is Epsom Salt Good for African Violets?

Epsom salt is a form of magnesium and sulfur crystal and can be easily dissolved in water.

Magnesium sulfate is often a missing mineral from the potting soils and using Epsom salt for your plants, sometimes is essential.

However, not all plants react well to this mineral. So, what about African Violets?

Yes, Epsom salt is a great fertilizer for African Violets.

Applied once per month, Epsom salt will make your African Violets thrive and explode in blooms.

Dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt in one gallon of water (what should be room temperature) and mix it until the salt dissolves completely.

Then water your African Violets as you do it usually.

Allow all this mixture to drain away before placing the saucer back in its place.

Can You Use Aquarium Water for African Violets?

Yes, you can use aquarium water for your African Violet.

Aquarium water accumulates nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and ammonia, also contains lots of beneficial micro-organisms that help to process these nutrients.

Therefore, aquarium water can be used as fertilizer for your African Violets.

However, not all fish-tank water can be used for these plants. If you have a salt-water aquarium, you should avoid using it for African Violets.

The salt from the salt water could harm your plants.

Also, avoid using the aquarium water if you used chemicals to adjust the water’s pH level or you have been treating the fish for diseases.

Very dirty aquarium water should also be kept away from your African Violets, as this may do more harm than good to your plants.

Wrap Up

To keep your African Violets healthy and help them bloom, you should fertilize them regularly.

It is up to you, which fertilizer to use, but make sure, it is water-soluble and you read the label on how to use it.

If you follow the instructions and the dosage, you can’t go wrong and your plants will be thriving.

Also, to avoid the built-up salts in the pot and the soil, you can flush the container every 3 months.

Pour the water on the top of the soil, but avoid the leaves. So, you should pour the water under the leaves and continue pouring the water, until this comes out of the draining holes.

Then leave it to drain and you can place the saucer back to its place. Also, clean the crusted salt off of the pot.