Limp and Yellowing Leaves on African Violets

Warm the water and eliminate the salt if your African violet has limp leaves that eventually yellow and drop off.

Use room temperature water to avoid cold damage to the leaves. Then check for a white crusty substance on the soil surface or plant container. This salt buildup is from the minerals in the water and fertilizer. African violet leaves are damaged and often drop when they come in contact with this material. Scrape off the crusty white substance. Then water the soil thoroughly with room temperature water. Allow the excess water to drain from the pot. Repeat this several times at 20 minute intervals. Leaching the soil like this will help wash any excess salts out of the soil.

Some growers cover the rim of the pot with foil or a similar material to protect the petioles from the salt laden container rim. Others raise their plants in plastic or ceramic pots, with drainage holes, to avoid this problem.

A bit more information: Once you correct this problem you may want to start more plants. African violets can be started from just a single healthy leaf. Listen to my audio tip for more details.