African Violet propagation

Dec 11, 2019

African Violet propagation

I got three Saintpaulia leaves from a friend. I’ve never even seen a Saintpaulia up close (that I can remember), so I’m not familiar with the way they grow or can be propagated. Yes, I could’ve googled it, but it’s so much more fun to seek advice in the Instagram plant community. I got 3 different methods and I tried them all. Of course I will keep you posted on which method worked (best).

Method 1

(Thanks to @sillappeal, @hofstede_hovaria, @urbanjungling & @ilonas_plants)

Cut the stem shorter and at an angle, then put it in soil. I used some rooting powder as well.
Since new growth appears at the end of the stem, shortening it will make it easier for new leaves to emerge from the soil.
  • Titel dia

    Cut the petiole shorter

    Knop
  • Titel dia

    Dip it in rooting hormone (not necessary)

    Knop
  • Titel dia

    Put it in soil and wait!

    Knop

Method 2

(Thanks to @urbanjungling )

Cut the leaf in three parts and put them in soil. Make a small groove for the two leafy parts.

Method 3

(Thanks to @stephmichsr)
Cut the stem a bit shorter and put it in water.
It doesn’t get any easier than this!

And now we wait….

I put all the cuttings in my propagator, in high humidity. However, I need to keep an eye on them, since they are prone to molding.

This is my first time propagating Saintpaulia / African Violet. Which method will work best, you think? Have you ever tried one of these methods, or do you know a fourth one? Let me know!

Header photo taken by friend Tom. It’s the plant he took the leaves from.
All other photos taken by me


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