How to Grow Miniature Violets With Hydroponics

Most people use indoor hydroponic gardens to grow food plants such as herbs, small vegetables and fruits. What many don't realize, though, is that a hydroponic garden works equally well for small flowering plants, to produce a different sort of reward. Miniature or Dwarf African violets thrive in cool, moist conditions, and grow to only 6 inches in height. Plant these bright, fragrant and compact beauties in your hydroponic garden for months of soft blooms.

Peat moss/fern matter
Hydroponic nutrients

Instructions

- 1
  Fill the growing pods of your hydroponic system three-fourths full of peat moss or fern matter. These non-soil foundations adhere to the hydroponic garden's soil-less system, but provide the acidic support and nutrition the violets like.
- 2
  Remove all soil from each violet's root system and plant one violet plant per pot. Press more peat moss or fern matter over the roots to fill the pots and secure the plantings.
- 3
  Place the garden in a site with indirect natural light. North- and east-facing windows provide ideal lighting conditions for violets. These plants burn in too much bright light but grow dark and sickly in deep shade. Keep violets in temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.
- 4
  Fill the water tray with water and add hydroponic nutrients, per manufacturer directions. Look for hydroponic nutrients for blooming houseplants for best results, and follow the directions carefully; violets suffer from over or under fertilization. These nutrients replace both soil and fertilizer in the system.
- 5
  Set the system to give violets 2 inches of water over the week. Violets do best with consistently moist but not wet foundations.

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