What Makes an African Violet Leggy?

Light

• African violets that aren’t receiving sufficient light begin to stretch in search of it. This causes elongated stems and a rangy appearance. Horticulturists measure light in foot-candles, and the African violet requires 1,000 foot-candles for eight to 12 hours a day. Provide this light by placing the African violet no farther than three feet away from a west- or southeast- facing window. Don’t place the African violet in direct sun or you risk burning the foliage.

Age

• Older African violets, especially those that aren't repotted for long periods, become leggy and the bottom leaves fall off, exposing the stem. Horticulturists with the University of Florida IFAS Extension recommend that you cut the stem at the soil and replant it in a small pot of fresh soil or, if the stem is 1 inch tall or shorter, repot the entire plant deeper into the new soil so the bare stem is buried. If the stem is over 1 inch tall, cut the plant where the leaves begin, remove the leaves from the bottom one-third and replant it. Dip the end into rooting hormone before planting it in the fresh soil.