An African violet that's all leaves and no flowers is nearly always short of light, sitting in too big a pot, or fighting its own extra crowns. The RHS says that, given the right conditions, African violets can flower non-stop for months on end. You don't need special tricks. You need the basics done well.
01At a glance
- Light: bright, but out of direct sun. The RHS says at least ten hours of light a day.
- Water: room temperature, and kept off the leaves. Cold water leaves pale rings and blotches.
- Pot: small. The RHS gives about 10cm across as the usual maximum.
- One crown: remove suckers so the plant puts its energy into flowers.
- Deadhead: pick off fading flowers to keep new ones coming.
02Light: the usual reason for no flowers
The RHS recommends a north- or east-facing windowsill from spring to autumn, then a south- or west-facing one in winter, when the sun is weaker. A thin curtain softens strong sun. Brown or yellow blotches on the leaves usually mean too much direct sun.
The RHS says African violets need at least ten hours of light and eight hours of darkness a day. (Its own troubleshooting section says 12 hours, so if yours isn't flowering, err towards more light.) In a dark British winter, the brightest sill you have matters.
03Watering without marking the leaves
- Wait until the surface of the compost is dry. Both overwatering and underwatering can stop flowering, the RHS says.
- Use water at room temperature. Cold tap water chills the plant.
- Water from below. Stand the pot in a tray of water for about half an hour, then let it drain.
- Keep water off the leaves and crown. Splashes mark the furry leaves and can lead to mould or rot.
04Pot, crowns and suckers
- Keep it in a small pot. The RHS says choose one only slightly larger than the rootball. Large or deep pots can stop it flowering.
- Repot every two to three years, in spring, into peat-free houseplant compost or a specialist African violet compost.
- Remove suckers. Over time a plant grows extra rosettes. The RHS says suckers drain energy from the mother plant, so it's worth removing them. Ease it away and pot it up on its own. That's a free plant.
05Warmth and feeding
The RHS suggests 18–24°C by day and about 16°C at night, all year, out of cold draughts. Leaves that turn pale with upturned edges are a sign it's too cold.
Feed in spring and summer. The RHS suggests a dilute liquid houseplant feed every three to four weeks, or a specialist African violet feed. Our African violet profile suggests a dilute high-potash feed every couple of weeks. Both work. The key is keeping it weak.
06A note on the name
The RHS now lists African violets under Streptocarpus, the same genus as the cape primrose. You'll still see them sold as Saintpaulia. Same plant.
07Cape primrose: the easier cousin
Cape primroses are closely related and flower from spring to autumn. The care is similar, with a few differences from the RHS:
- Light: an east- or west-facing window in spring and summer, out of hot sun. A south-facing sill in autumn and winter.
- Feed: a high-potash feed at half strength every two weeks from March to September, then stop.
- Deadhead differently: remove dead flower stalks at their base, not just the faded flowers.
- Pot: a wide, shallow pot suits them better than a deep one.
- Winter: water only when the compost is dry, as they can rot if it's too wet. The RHS gives a winter minimum of 7–10°C indoors.
08Why isn't it flowering?
- Lots of healthy leaves, no flowers: too little light. Move it somewhere brighter.
- Recently repotted into a big pot: too much root room. Wait, or drop down a size.
- Several crowns crowding the pot: split it into single plants.
- Pale rings or blotches on leaves: cold water on the leaves, or sun scorch.
- Dry or cold air: the RHS lists both as reasons it won't flower.
How we checked this
Every care and safety claim on this page is verified against horticultural and veterinary sources.
Sources: RHS — How to grow African violets · RHS — African violets (Streptocarpus) · RHS — Streptocarpus
Checked 8 October 2026. If our advice ever conflicts with the RHS, believe them and tell us.