African violets are a popular houseplant because they are relatively easy to care for and they bloom frequently, so owning an African Violet plant can be very rewarding! Knowing how much light your plant needs can help it thrive and produce beautiful blooms for many years.
Most African violets can tolerate up to 14 hours of indirect light each day, and will likely produce a lot of blooms. Although it seems like it would be hard to give this plant too much light, it is still possible, and too much light can still be detrimental to the plant. Keep reading to learn the signs to look out for if you think your plant is getting too much light.
Keep in mind, light requirements may alter slightly from plant to plant, so it’s important to use this information as a guideline. Pay close attention to your individual plant and you’ll be able to tell whether you need to alter the amount of light it is getting.
Can African Violets Get Too Much Light
Technically, yes, the African Violet can get too much light. One of the key things to remember when caring for African violets is that they need bright, indirect light.
If placed in an area that is too dark, it will not bloom as often. Conversely, if the plant is placed in an area that is too sunny, the leaves will begin to yellow and the plant will eventually die. So, while African violets do need a lot of bright light, it is important to make sure that they do not get too much direct sun.
Signs Your African Violet Is Getting Too Much Light
If your African violet is not as vibrant and beautiful as it was when you brought it home, or if it is displaying any of the following signs, it may be getting too much light:
-Leaves are yellowing, turning brown, or getting burn spots
-Edges of leaves are burned or crispy
-Plant is wilting
-Flowers are fading or dropping prematurely
Unfortunately, some of these signs are also signs of other problems as well, so it may take some detective work to get your African Violet looking healthier and thriving. If you notice any of these signs, first try moving your plant to a location with less light. African violets need bright, indirect light to thrive, so a spot near a south- or east-facing window is ideal.
Avoid giving your African Violet too much light, and you’ll have a happy plant!
How Much Light do African Violets Need
While it seems like it would be rather easy to strike the right balance for this plant, it has some fairly strict requirements that, if not met, could mean burnt leaves or a plant that never flowers. Let’s dig deeper into the African Violet light requirements.
How Many Hours of Sun do African Violets Need?
While African violets do not require a lot of light to give off some blooms, giving your plant as much indirect light as there are daytime hours will give you as many beautiful blooms as possible. If your plant is not receiving enough light, you may see fewer flowers, or the flowers may be smaller than usual.
The African Violet also needs a minimum of 8 hours in darkness every day to signal to the plant to produce more blooms. Maintaining the right balance of indirect light and darkness will give you a healthy, happy, blooming African Violet, and from there, its care is relatively easy.
African Violets originate from Africa. They are known for their beautiful flowers and their ability to survive in low-light conditions, but they can do well in a range of light conditions. African Violets can do well in various environments, but they will thrive in conditions closer to where they originate from. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little sunlight will result in fewer blooms.
Light Intensity: Direct or Filtered Sunlight
African Violets are very sensitive to light intensity. They will do best in a location that receives filtered sunlight for several hours each day. If the light is too intense, the leaves will scorch and the flowers will fade. If the light is not intense enough, the plants will become etiolated (stretchy and leggy), and you will not get to enjoy very many blooms.
The best way to determine if the light is right for your African violets is to observe the plant closely for a couple of weeks after placing it in its home. If it is doing well, then the light is just right.
Adjusting Light Requirements
If your African Violet is not blooming or the leaves are pale, its light requirements are not being met. While African Violets need a good amount of light to grow and bloom well, too much light can be detrimental. If you think your plant is getting too much light, try moving it to a location with less sunlight.
Alternatively, you can adjust the amount of light your plant receives by using a sheer curtain or blind to filter some of the light. Be sure to give your plant a good quality African violet fertilizer monthly to encourage blooming.
Make sure your plant is getting the suggested 6-8 hours of darkness every day also, otherwise it will not trigger bloom production no matter how well the rest of the plant is doing.
Best Room to Grow African Violets Indoors
The best room to grow African violets indoors is one that gets bright, indirect light for most of the day. A south-facing window is a good option, but if you don’t have one, you can also grow your plants under grow lights.
Really, any room will be just fine for your African Violet as long as the amount of light the room receives is carefully measured. If there is a space in your home that you really want to place your African Violet, but it only receives a few hours of indirect sunlight every day, consider using both the natural light it does get, as well as a grow light to ensure it’s getting all the UV rays it requires.
Growing African Violets In Artificial Light
Many African violet enthusiasts enjoy growing their plants under artificial light, and there are even forums online of people showing off their artificial light set-up for their African Violets!
If you’re growing your African violets under artificial light, it’s important to give them enough of it. Too little light will result in leggy growth and fewer flowers, while too much light can cause the leaves to scorch the same way they would in direct sunlight.
The best way to determine how much artificial light your African violets need is to experiment a bit. Start with a couple of hours of direct artificial light per day and increase or decrease the amount of time as needed. If you notice the leaves starting to turn yellow or brown, that’s a sign that they’re getting too much light and you should reduce the amount of time they’re exposed to artificial light, or filter it similarly to how you might filter direct sunlight coming in through a window.
African violets are relatively easy to grow under artificial light, but it’s important to pay attention to the amount of light they’re receiving. With a little trial and error, you’ll soon find the perfect balance of light for your plants.
FAQ African Violets Too Much Light
Can You Grow African violets under LED grow lights?
Yes, as a matter of fact, many African Violet plant owners decide to use grow lights, and LED grow lights are becoming one of the most popular types of grow lights. The increased savings in energy cost and the fact that LEDs don’t heat up as much as other types of grow lights have people switching over. Just make sure you opt for an LED with a full light spectrum, or at least one that emits a higher ratio of red and blue wavelengths.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, African violets can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from low light to bright light. However, they will bloom best when they receive moderate to bright indirect light for 12-16 hours per day, and only if they also receive 6-8 hours of dark to signal that bloom growth.
If you’re thinking about growing African violets, give them a try! They’re relatively easy to care for and make beautiful houseplants. Just pay careful attention to the space’s light so you don’t give your African Violet too much light, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful blooms and a happy, healthy plant.
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Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned grower, African Violet Resource Center has everything you need to help your plant grow vibrant and strong. Explore our other articles, visit our online shop, and connect with other houseplant lovers in our Facebook group to learn everything you need to know about this rewarding hobby!
