Overwatering an African violet is one of the most common mistakes you can make with this plant. African violets like their soil to be moist, but not soggy. If their roots are constantly sitting in wet soil, they will be in danger of developing root rot.
You can avoid overwatering your African violet by using well-draining soil and a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom. Only water the plant when the top two inches of soil are dry to the touch.
In this article, we will discuss the factors that cause overwatering in African violet plants and how to save an overwatered plant.
How can I tell if my African Violet is overwatered?
Curled-up leaves
If the leaves on your African violet are curling, your plant might be overwatered, but it could also be a sign that the temperature of the water you are using is stressing the plant. Do not use cold water on your plant; rather use water at room temperature.
Wrinkled leaves
Another sign of an overwatered African violet is wrinkled leaves. This indicates that the plant is unable to effectively bring the water up from the roots and into the rest of the plant’s tissue.
Examine the plant’s roots; they should be white and plump. If the roots are mushy and brown, remove them because they are rotten. If there are still plenty of viable roots left you may be able to salvage the plant, but if all of the roots look rotten, it is best to simply dispose of the plant properly and try again with a new African violet.
Yellow leaves
Another sign that your plant is overwatered is the yellowing of its leaves. This is also a sign of possible root rot.
Wilting leaves
When an African violet is wilting, it can be due to pests, underwatering, or overwatering. Checking the soil is the most important step in figuring out which of these is the actual cause of the wilted leaves.
If the soil is damp or wet when you touch it and the leaves are wilted, it may be overwatered. The excess water drowns the roots, leaving them unable to absorb oxygen.
Shriveled, mushy stems
If your African violet’s stem feels mushy and the plant is shriveled, you are probably overwatering it. A healthy plant will have strong, firm stems. If the stem gives when you squeeze it, there is an issue.
Mushy stems in African violet plants can mean there is a fungal infection, which was made possible by the plant getting too much water.
A shriveled plant could be a sign that the African violet has rotted.
Moldy soil
Mold in the soil is a sign that your African violet is being overwatered. The mold will look like white dots on the top layer of the soil.
Fortunately, this mold does not harm your plant, but it is still important that you remove it as soon as you see it. You can remove the mold by scraping it off the soil. A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution can also kill the mold. One part hydrogen peroxide to five parts water should do the trick. If you check and see that the mold extends beyond the top layer, it is time to repot your plant.
Root rot
If you have been overwatering your plant for some time, it is likely that root rot will have developed. When the roots drown in soggy soil they will die, and the dead root tissue becomes susceptible to opportunistic pathogens such as fungi and bacteria. This infection will cause root rot.
You can clear out the rot by removing the plant from its pot and cutting away the roots that are black or brown. Leave the plant on a paper towel on a tray to allow the roots to dry. When the roots have dried, you can replant it in a pot with drainage holes, using well-draining soil.
It may be difficult to catch the early stages of root rot, and you might not be able to save the plant once the symptoms are visible in the leaves and stem.
Crown rot
Crown rot is a result of root rot making its way to the crown of the plant’s root system. In essence, it is a more serious case of root rot.
You can treat crown rot the same way you do root rot. Remove the rotten roots and spray fungicide on what is left of the root system.
Be warned that if crown rot has become too serious, it may be too late to salvage the plant.
Brown spots on leaves
If you see brown spots on the leaves of your African violet, you should be worried as this is never a good sign. It is most commonly associated with overwatering and, as mentioned above, overwatering prevents your plants from getting the oxygen they need to survive.
Overwatered African violets are prone to edema, and brown spots are a sign of this, especially at the base of the plant.
Remove the leaves that have brown spots, because they are no longer viable. Removing them will help encourage new growth.
How to save an overwatered African Violet
If you suspect that your African violet is being overwatered, you need to correct the problem as soon as possible. If you are able to determine what is causing the overwatering, fixing the problem will become much easier.
Often it is just a case of giving the plant too much water, but it can also be due to the size of the pot, the pot not having drainage holes, or the soil not draining sufficiently.
Once the plant has been salvaged, avoid overwatering by only watering it when the soil is dry to the touch.
Conclusion
Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by African violet owners. It can result in a host of problems for your plant, such as curling, wilting, or yellowing leaves, shriveled stems, root rot, crown rot and brown spots on the leaves.
These problems could arise from a pot that does not have drainage holes, poorly-draining soil, or a pot that is too big for the plant and holds more water than the plant actually needs.
Check the plant’s roots and remove any rotten parts, let the plant dry out , and replant it in a pot with drainage holes and well-draining soil.
Water the plant only when the soil feels dry to the touch. If the soil is still damp, wait one or two days before checking it again.
Image: istockphoto.com / Roxiller