Here’s How to Water African Violet From the Top Like a Pro to keep your delicate flowering houseplant thriving all year round!
African violets are known for their flimsy beauty, but keeping them moist and thriving can feel like a challenge. Watering them from the top? It’s a common method, but it can lead to rot and ruin their foliage when done wrong.
If you’ve experienced this before, we’ll spill the secrets of watering your African violets from the top like a pro! You’ll learn the perfect techniques, the best time to water, and how to avoid those pesky pitfalls. Let’s dive in!
How to Water African Violet From Top Like A Pro
1. Use a Narrow-Spout Watering Can
A watering can with a narrow spout is your best friend for watering African violets like a pro. Does it need to be narrow? Yes, to help, you can easily control and direct the flow to the soil.
Plenty of cheap but functional and sturdy ones are available in garden centers and online.
Once you start using it, hold the spout close to the potting mix and pour the water slowly so there is no splashing. Remember, a lightweight one will help you minimize strain when you’re maneuvering it around your African violet plant.
Pro Tip: Tilt the pot slightly to ensure the water flows evenly into the soil and away from the crown. Speaking of pots, here’s how to select the best one for your African violet!
2. Hold The Leaves Back and Use a Syringe
Got a small pot? No problem! You can’t use a spout for a cute little African violet, but you’re not entirely helpless. All you need to do is fill a syringe with lukewarm water and insert it close to the base of the plant.
Just use your hands to gently lift and hold back the leaves with one hand, ensuring they do not break (If they do, use them to propagate a new plant this way!). When they’re out of the way, slowly release the water into the soil to evenly distribute it around the root zone.
It won’t wet the leaves or the flowers and will go straight to the right spot.
Pro Tip: The best time to water African violets is in the morning, as it allows any leaf moisture to evaporate throughout the day, minimizing the risk of fungal diseases that can thrive in damp nighttime conditions.
3. Try A Funnel to Water it From the Top
Like a syringe, a funnel can be surprisingly effective for watering your African violets. Of course, you will need to be careful not to pour more water than necessary. A small funnel with a narrow tip is a great way to help you keep the flow in check.
Position the funnel at the base of the plant, ensuring it doesn’t touch the leaves or stems. Then, slowly pour water into it, allowing it to flow directly into the potting mix without splashing. You can use a half-filled glass or cup or even the spout you got while pouring water into the funnel, so you don’t give it too much and can do it quickly without spills.
Pro Tip: To make this technique even more effective, consider using a silicon funnel, which can be adjusted to fit snugly into tight spots or on the pot’s rim. Do not skip the regular care routine by being too focused on watering, though.
4. Go With a Plastic Barrier
Going with a plastic barrier might be extra work, but you won’t have to get anything new this way. Plus, it will reduce your work in the long run.
You can find any plastic bag at home and cover up your African violet pot. Just leave a small slit near the soil so you can water it. The barrier will protect the leaves from stray droplets as you pour. It will also increase the humidity and make your plants thrive better (FYI: African violets love a high humidity of about 75%).
You can then remove the plastic cover, but if you keep it, the best part would be that you won’t need to water your plants again for a much longer time (2-3 weeks), as this will also create a microclimate.
After reading all these ways, you’re now a pro at watering African violets from the top. Don’t forget that you can also bottom water them to allow the plants to absorb water at their own pace. It has its own benefits!
