Are you wondering how much light your African violet needs? If yes, then you are in the right place. Read our article thoroughly, and you will get answers to all your questions regarding this topic.
Light is essential for plant growth and development. It is the primary source of energy for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Plants use this chemical energy to produce the building blocks of plant tissue, such as leaves, stems, and roots. Without sufficient light, plants cannot photosynthesize effectively and will struggle to grow and develop properly.
Some plants are adapted to grow in low light conditions because they have developed mechanisms to maximize the amount of light they can capture and use for photosynthesis. On the other hand, other plants, such as sunflowers and cacti, are adapted to grow in full sun and require a high amount of light to thrive. These plants have mechanisms to protect themselves from intense light, such as thick leaves or waxy coatings that prevent water loss.
Ultimately, the specific light requirements of a plant depend on the conditions in its natural habitat and the adaptations it has developed to thrive in those conditions.
In the following paragraphs, we will tell you if African violet requires full sun or low light and how much light you need to keep this plant healthy. Additionally, we will go over the signs that can help you determine if this plant is getting excess or insufficient light.
Sounds good?
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How Much Light Does African Violet Need?
African violets need between 8 to 10 hours of bright, indirect light. These plants do not tolerate direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves and cause them to lose color.
It is also not recommended to place African violets in very low light conditions, as this can cause them to become leggy and weak.
Bright, indirect light refers to light that is intense but not direct. Direct sunlight comes directly from the sun and is strong enough to cause sunburn on human skin. This light is often too intense for many plants, as it can scorch their leaves and cause them to lose their color or even die.
Bright, indirect light, on the other hand, is light that is diffused or filtered in some way so that it is not as intense as direct sunlight. This type of light is often recommended for African violets because it provides the intensity and spectrum of light that these plants need for photosynthesis without the risk of damaging their leaves.
Bright, indirect light can be provided by placing your African violet near a window that faces east or west, where the sun is not directly overhead, or by using a grow light.
If light around your African is intense and you want to reduce its intensity, you can use sheer curtains or blinds. Alternatively, you can place your plants where they will receive dappled sunlight, such as under a tree or in a spot where the sun shines through a screen or lattice.
If you want to be more accurate about how much light you provide for African violet, you can use an illuminance meter. This device is known as a light meter or lux meter; it calculates the amount of light that falls on a surface and is typically measured in units of lux (lumens per square meter) or foot candles (lumens per square foot).
The optimum light intensity for growing healthy African violets is between 900 and 1000-foot candles or between 10,000 and 20,000 lux.
The following video demonstrates the effects of providing African violets with inadequate light:
Are you interested in using LED lights for African violet? Read this article before doing so.
How Do I Know When My African Violet Needs More Light?
If your African violets need more light, they will develop yellow leaves and leggy stems. This plant can also experience stunted bloom growth under low light conditions.
Low light conditions can cause the leaves of African violets to become yellow for a few reasons. First, this kind of low light can prevent African violets from photosynthesizing effectively, which can cause them to produce less chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives plants their green color and is essential for photosynthesis. When this element is not available, the plant will produce less chlorophyll, and its leaves may start to turn yellow.
Low light can also cause African violets to stretch and become leggy. In fact, when plants do not receive enough light, they will grow taller and thinner to reach the light source which causes them to become leggy.
Finally, low light conditions can cause African violet to experience stunted bloom growth by reducing the availability of the hormones that regulate the blooming function. For example, low light can disturb the production of florigen. This hormone is produced in the leaves and is transported to the shoot tips, where it triggers the production of flowers. Without enough light, the leaves won’t make this hormone.
If your African violet shows you at least one other sign above, you should move it to a location that receives more light. But make sure you move the plant gradually closer to the light source over 7 to 10 days to avoid shock.
Are you dealing with a leggy African violet? Read this article to discover how to fix this issue.
How Do I Know That My African Violet Is Getting Too Much Light?
African violets will develop brown spots and curling if you grow them under excessive light. In such conditions, this plant can also experience fading blooms.
Intense light can cause the leaves of African violets to become brown for a few reasons. First, African violets are sensitive to direct sunlight and can be easily scorched by intense light. When this plant is exposed to intense light, the cells in the leaves can be damaged, causing the leaves to turn brown.
Second, extreme light can cause African violets to lose moisture rapidly through transpiration, the process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves. When plants transpire quickly, it can cause them to become dehydrated, and their leaves may start to turn brown.
Intense light can also cause the leaves of African violet to curl. In fact, extreme light can cause the cells in the leaves of an African violet to become damaged, which can cause the leaves to become misshapen and curl.
Finally, extreme light will cause African violet to experience fading bloom by interfering with the hormone signals that regulate a plant’s growth and development, including the production of flowers.
If your African violet was exposed to excess light, you should move it immediately to a location that receives less light. If that’s not possible, you should use a sheer curtain or blind to filter the morning and make it less intense.
Did your African violet change color recently? Here is a quick explanation and fix to this problem.
Is Artificial Light Good for African Violet?
Artificial light can be good for African violet, as long as it provides the right intensity and spectrum of light for their needs. Generally, fluorescent lights, LED lights, and incandescent lights are the best types of artificial light that can be used for this plant.
There are several advantages to using artificial light for African violets. One advantage is that artificial light can provide a consistent and controlled light source for these plants. This can be especially useful if you do not have access to a suitable location for your African violets or if your home’s natural light is insufficient for their needs.
Another advantage of using artificial light is that it allows you to adjust the intensity and spectrum of light to match the specific needs of these plants. This can help ensure that your African violets receive the right amount and type of light to grow and thrive.
Additionally, using artificial light can allow you to extend the amount of light your plants receive, which can benefit their growth and development.
Overall, using artificial light for African violets can be a helpful way to provide the light they need to grow and thrive.
Are you interested in using LED lights for African violet? Read this article before doing so.
Conclusion
In conclusion, providing African violets with the right light is crucial for their healthy growth and development and can help prevent their leaves from turning brown.
These plants need between 8 to 10 hours of bright, indirect light for healthy growth. Too little light will cause yellowing leaves and leggy stems, while too much light can cause brown spots and curling on the leaves.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to provide optimal light for African violets. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know.
That’s all for today. Thank you!
If you found this content helpful, Click here to read our article about how to fix yellowing African violet
