How to Repot Over Clipped African Violets

African violets charm many people with their cheery flowers and fuzzy, dark-green foliage. Although African violets require very little hands-on care, occasional clipping to remove dead leaves or to improve the symmetry of the plant is beneficial. However, many gardeners clip African violets too zealously and remove too many healthy leaves, which will cause the plant to go dormant. Repotting is one way to reinvigorate an over-clipped plant since fresh, nutrient-rich soil and a slightly smaller pot will encourage African violets to put on new growth, resulting in a better-looking and healthier plant.

Planter
African violet potting mix
Pruning shears
Cotton ball
Hydrogen peroxide
Newspaper or butcher paper

Instructions

- 1
  Acquire a new, slightly smaller planter for the African violet plant. Choose a planter measuring 1/2 to 3/4 inches smaller than the original planter to crowd the roots slightly and promote upward growth.
- 2
  Pour African violet potting mix into the bottom 1/2 inch of the new planter. Shake the planter lightly to settle the soil but do not press or firm it. Set the planter aside while preparing the African violet plant for repotting.
- 3
  Clean the blades of your pruning shears. Soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide. Rub the blades thoroughly with the cotton ball to remove any potentially harmful fungi, bacteria or pathogens. Air dry the pruning shears before using them on the African violet.
- 4
  Spread a sheet of newspaper or butcher paper over your work area to minimize mess and make clean-up easier. Move the African violet onto the newspaper before removing it from its pot.
- 5
  Place your hand securely across the opening of the African violet's pot. Turn the pot upside-down. Shake the pot gently to slide the rootball out. Place the plant on the newspaper.
- 6
  Crumble off as much soil as possible from around the outer edges of the rootball. Trim off 1 inch of length from the ends of the roots using your freshly cleaned and sanitized pruning shears.
- 7
  Place the rootball of the African violet in the new planter. Add soil around the roots in small increments. Shake the planter slightly after adding each increment of soil to settle it among the roots. Keep adding soil until the planter is filled.
- 8
  Gently pull the remaining leaves upward to locate the "neck" of the plant, which is the thick, trunk-like structure at the base of the leaf stems. Spread soil around the top of the plant until the neck is buried. Gently press the soil firm to squeeze out any trapped air.
- 9
  Water the African violet after repotting it. Carefully drizzle water onto the soil without getting any on the leaves, which can cause discoloration or mold. Add water only until the soil feels moderately moist in the top 2 inches.
- 10
  Place the African violet in a very bright, humid spot away from direct sunlight. Resume normal watering and feeding practices two months after repotting it. Watch for new leaf growth four to six months after repotting.

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