When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
African violets are cheery little plants that don’t appreciate a lot of fuss and muss. In other words, they’re the perfect plant for busy (or forgetful) folks. It’s easy to make more African violet plants to share with lucky friends or spread around the house by dividing an African violet into two or more “pups.” Read on to learn more about African violet plant division.
African violets are classic flowering houseplants that have been popular for generations. Their cheery blooms and easygoing nature make them an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. And propagating more plants from an existing African violet is simple by separating the “pups” or suckers that form at the base of the mother plant. Here’s a step-by-step guide to separating and potting up African violet divisions.
Overview of African Violet Pups
African violets form miniature clone plants called pups or suckers at the base of the mature plant. These pups emerge from the main stem, not the crown or leaves. A mature African violet may have just one pup, or several at a time.
Removing and potting up the pups is an easy way to get more plants for free. And separating the suckers prevents them from taking nutrients from the mother plant which can reduce flowering. So dividing African violets by removing the pups benefits both the parent plant and the new propagules.
When to Separate African Violet Pups
The best time to remove and pot up African violet suckers is in spring or summer when both the parent plant and offshoots are actively growing. Choose a pup that is at least one third the size of the mother plant with 3-4 mature leaves. Smaller pups may not thrive if separated.
Only remove 1-2 pups per year to prevent stressing the parent plant. And avoid disturbing the mother plant’s root system when separating suckers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Dividing African Violets
Follow these simple steps for separating and potting up African violet pups:
Gather Supplies
You’ll need:
- Small pots 2-3 inches wide, clay or plastic
- Commercial African violet potting mix
- Sharp, clean shears or knife
- Clear plastic bags or plastic containers with lids
Water the Parent Plant
Water the African violet mother plant the day before separating pups. This will hydrate the plant and make it easier to remove suckers without damaging roots.
Prep the Potting Mix and Pots
Fill small pots with moist commercial African violet potting mix Tap the pots gently to settle the soil Have one pot ready for each pup you plan to remove.
Remove the Suckers
Slide the mother plant from its pot and gently move leaves aside to uncover pups at the base. Use a sharp, clean knife or scissors to detach the suckers where they meet the main stem. Avoid damaging the mother plant’s root system.
Pot the Pups
Make a hole in the potting mix with your finger. Place the pup in the hole and gently firm the soil around its stem. Water lightly until the soil is moist but not soggy.
Create a Humidity Tent
Place the repotted pups in bright, indirect light. Cover each pot with an upside-down clear plastic cup or bag to create a mini greenhouse. This retains moisture while the pups develop roots.
Provide Gentle Care
Keep the humidity tent closed and potting mix lightly moist. Open the cover for short periods to provide fresh air. After 4-6 weeks, gradually expose the pups to normal conditions. Feed weekly with diluted fertilizer once new growth appears.
Caring for Newly Separated African Violet Pups
The young African violet divisions need some special care while they root out and become established:
-
Maintain even moisture in the potting mix, watering when the surface feels dry. Avoid overwatering.
-
Provide bright indirect light. Direct hot sun can scorch tender leaves.
-
Keep away from heating and AC vents to prevent temperature extremes.
-
Open the humidity tent daily to supply fresh air and prevent fungal diseases.
-
Transplant into 3-4 inch pots once the pups are growing vigorously.
-
Resume normal care and feeding once plants are established.
With a little TLC, the separated pups will flourish into full-sized, blooming African violet plants. Dividing African violets is an easy, rewarding way to expand your collection!
Troubleshooting Issues with Divided African Violet Pups
Sometimes the separated suckers struggle after division. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Drooping leaves: Increase watering frequency slightly and ensure even moisture.
Yellowing leaves: May indicate overwatering. Allow soil to dry out more between waterings. Improve drainage if potting mix stays soggy.
No new growth: Can be caused by transplant shock, low light, or improper watering. Provide good care and be patient.
Stem rot: From overwatering or overly dense, moisture-retentive potting soil. Repot in a fresh, well-draining mix. Discard diseased suckers.
Wrinkled, drawn leaves: Sign of under-watering. Increase watering gradually.
With attentive care, most separated pups will recover from transplant stress and grow into mature African violet plants.
Next Steps After Dividing Your African Violets
Once your divided pups are happily established, here are some next steps:
-
Repot into a 3-4 inch pot. African violets prefer being slightly pot-bound.
-
Remove the humidity tent permanently once new growth is robust.
-
Water whenever the top of the potting mix feels dry. Avoid oversaturating.
-
Feed every 2-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength.
-
Provide 10-12 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. Rotate plants periodically.
-
Maintain temperatures between 70-80°F for optimal growth.
-
Prune off dried or damaged leaves and spent blooms to encourage new growth.
-
Repot every 12-24 months using fresh African violet potting soil.
By separating and potting up pups, you can easily propagate more African violets to expand your collection! It’s a fun, rewarding way to get free plants.
How to Separate African Violet Suckers
It’s easy to separate African violet pups, which will give you another plant that you can give to family or friends, or you might just want to add to your collection. Water the African violet the day before you intend to separate the pups. Then fill a 2 inch (5 cm. a clay or plastic pot filled with peat and perlite potting mix from a store, or any other well-drained mix Don’t use a larger pot as too much damp potting mix can rot the pup. Slide the mother plant carefully out of the pot. Push the leaves apart gently to find the pups. Remove the pup from the mother plant with scissors or a sharp knife. Make a hole in the center of the pot with your fingertip. Insert the pup in the hole, then firm potting mix gently around the stem. Water lightly. Create a miniature greenhouse by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag. You can also use a clean plastic milk jug with the “spout” end cut off. Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Make sure the pup is protected from drafts or heating vents. Water lightly as needed, using lukewarm water, to keep the potting mix lightly moist but never soggy. Once a week, feed the puppy ¼ teaspoon of balanced, water-soluble fertilizer mixed with one gallon of water. Always water the pup before applying fertilizer. Open the bag or remove the cover occasionally to provide fresh air. This is especially important if you notice condensation inside the plastic. After four weeks, take off the plastic cover for a short time. Then, slowly add more time each day until the pup is no longer protected by the greenhouse.
African Violet Sucker Propagation
What are African violet pups? Pups, which are also called suckers, are small plants that grow from the mother plant’s base. A pup grows from the plant’s main stem– not from a leaf or the crown. A mature African violet might have one pup or it may have several. Not only does getting rid of suckers help make more plants, but it also protects the mother plant from harm. This is because suckers can take away nutrients and energy from the plant, which stops it from flowering and shortens its life.
Splitting and repotting an African Violet!
FAQ
Do African violets need to be separated?
What to do with an overgrown African violet?
Do African violets like to be crowded?
How do you know when to repot an African violet?
How do you separate African violet plants?
By splitting the plant down the center of the crown you can you separate one plant into two plants. However, a better and easier way to separate an african violet is to separate foliage clusters at the roots. I will now cover the vital information you need in order to divide an african violet by separating foliage clusters at the roots.
How to divide African violets?
Division is one of the most common methods of propagating African violets. It is a simple and cost-effective way to increase the number of plants in your collection. To successfully divide African violets, you will need a few basic tools. First and foremost, you will need a sharp knife or pair of scissors.
When is the best time to divide an African violet?
The best time to divide an African Violet is in the spring or summer, when the plant is actively growing. This gives the plant the best chance at recovering quickly from being divided before it goes into the semi-dormant season.
Can African violets be split?
African violets can develop more than one crown and each crown and be split and divided with each side being used to propagate and entirely new plant. If you choose to take this route for dividing your african violet then once the plant has been split follow the directions below for repotting.
How do you propagate African violets?
To split the pups from the plant, just cut them off from the main stem of the plant, and pot them in their own soil. They will grow their own roots soon and turn into a new plant. When you propagate your African violet, the leaf you have propagated from becomes the “mother leaf” when the new growth begins.
Should I repot a divided African violet?
The main reason for repotting african violets is to prevent them becoming root bound. So with existing plants that need repotted be sure to gently loosen up the roots after you have removed the plant from its pot before repotted it in new soil. Anyway, back to potting your divided african violet.