How to Trim the Roots of an African Violet

African violets are sometimes thought of as high-maintenance, somewhat fussy houseplants, but in spite of this reputation have a weed-like growth habit when conditions are good. If your violet is beginning to look too large for its pot, is crowded, or has developed numerous crowns, it may be time to trim the roots and repot.

Sharp knife
Alcohol
Cotton ball
Soilless potting medium or sterile potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Wash your hands and sterilize your knife with a bit of alcohol on a cotton ball before performing surgery on your violet. This prevents the introduction of any diseases to the new root cuts.
- 2
  Allow the plant soil to dry out slightly so that it is light weight and easily removed from the pot.
- 3
  Turn the pot upside down, allowing the stem of the plant to rest between your fingers. Tap the bottom of the pot gently until the plant falls out of the pot.
- 4
  Shake as much soil off the roots as possible without damaging the roots. Discard the old soil.
- 5
  Find the point of the root ball that is halfway from top to bottom. Cut across the root ball from side to side, at right angles to the plant's main stem.
- 6
  Cut evenly across all the roots, taking off the lower half of the root ball.
- 7
  Repot into the same pot with new soil or a soilless potting medium, burying the stem to the first leaves.
- 8
  Water thoroughly with rain water or distilled water.

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