African violets adorn many windowsills all over the world. And the reason for that is their undemanding care.
However, there are a couple of things that we need to take into consideration before getting this tiny gem. And one of them is soil.
Getting the right growing medium is crucial if you want to give your African violets the best growing conditions and keep them healthy.
Here’s a short guide that can help you choose the right one!
Commercial Potting Soils For African Violets
Below, you can find 5 commercial potting mediums for African violets that will fulfill all your plant’s needs, from drainage to proper moisture retention.
Let’s check them out!
1. Miracle-Gro African Violet Potting Mix
- Feeds plants for up to 6 months
- Promotes brilliant flower color
- Comes with repotting instructions
- May come infested with gnats
Miracle-Gro is probably the most famous brand of soil and amendments products out there, and for good reason.
Their potting mixes and fertilizers are of high quality, and the same can be said for this blend.
The soil is specially formulated for African violets and contains added plant food that will feed your plant for the first six months.
It is perfect for both indoor and outdoor plants and has adjusted pH values that promote brilliant blossom colors.
Finally, it comes with easy-to-follow instructions and is a perfect choice for beginners.
2. Sun Gro Black Gold African Violet Potting Mix
• Customer review: 4.7/5
• Contains earthworm castings
• Adjusted pH value
- Feeds plants for up to 2 months
- Promotes gorgeous flowers
- Cheaper than many other brands
- Contains peat moss
If you want a top quality potting soil for your African violets and other houseplants that thrive in similar conditions, then try out this Sun Gro product.
It is adjusted with dolomite lime to promote healthy and gorgeous blossoms and contains worm castings that safely feed your plant for up to 2 months.
The product is made with peat moss instead of coco coir, so it’s not my favorite option as it’s not that eco-friendly, but it will do a great job for your African violets.
P.S. It’s one of the best products on the market according to users!
3. Espoma Organic African Violet Premium Potting Mix
• Customer review: 4.6/5
• No synthetic foods and chemicals
• Suitable for other houseplants
- Aerated and well-drained
- Moisture-retentive
- Promotes healthy roots and flowering
- Contains peat moss
Espoma is yet another brand famous for its products. This particular substrate is perfect for African violets and other houseplants for good reason.
It promotes aeration and drainage, while providing proper moisture retention at the same time. Espoma potting mix also encourages healthy root growth and flowering.
It doesn’t contain any synthetic chemicals or plant food. However, it does contain peat moss, so it’s not the most eco-friendly option out there.
4. Leaves And Soul Professional African Violet Soil
• Customer review: 4.5/5
• Suitable for various indoor plants
• Resealable bag
- Promotes better water management
- Encourages healthy and gorgeous blossoms
- Easy to store
- Contains peat moss
This professional African violet soil mix is yet another product that works well for it and all other houseplants.
That’s because it balances optimal drainage and aeration with proper moisture retention, giving your plants exactly what they need.
It is incredibly absorbent and holds fertilizers long enough for your plants to use them.
This African violet soil is incredibly easy to store because it comes in a resealable bag, meaning you won’t have to deal with the mess and soil spilling everywhere.
Finally, it is a blend of dolomite lime, which adjusts the pH levels and promotes healthy blossoms, coco coir, perlite, and peat moss. The last ingredient isn’t that friendly for the environment, but you can’t have everything, right?
5. Gardenera African Violets Premium Soil Mix
• Customer review: 4.4/5
• Soilless mixture
• Fast-draining
- Fast draining and absorbent
- Ready to use
- No need for pasteurization
- Contains peat moss
This product is perfect for all plants that need a great balance between fast-drainage to avoid overwatering and root rot, and proper absorbency.
It will keep your African violets safe and healthy, allowing suitable aeration around the roots.
This mix is actually a soilless medium, so you don’t have to pasteurize it. And since it’s absorbent, it is ready to hold fertilizers as soon as you take it out of the bag.
Gardenera’s premium mix is made with peat moss, so it’s not the best eco-friendly solution out there. However, it is still organic, and beats the synthetic products by a mile.
Things To Look Out For When Getting African Violet Soil
Now that you know about some of the best products on the market (and their pros and cons), let’s learn what you should look out for when shopping for an African violet growing medium.
Properties
The key things to remember when getting a potting soil for your African violets are moisture retention, drainage, nutrient absorbency, promoting healthy root growth and flowering, etc.
Substrates that contain all these factors are perfect for growing your plants as they ensure proper conditions in which they can thrive.
Texture
Many substrates tend to compact and become sticky even before you open the bag and use them. They eventually harden and become useless to your plants.
That’s why you should always look for mediums that are loose, airy, light, and soft. Make sure the product isn’t too tight – slightly compacted is what you should aim for.
Ingredients
Ingredients are obviously incredibly important when it comes to soil. And the ones I always look for are coco coir, vermiculite, and worm castings.
These are more eco-friendly options to their counterparts (peat moss, vermiculite, synthetic plant food) and are great for the environment and your plants.
Final Thought
African violets deserve only the best, and these commercial soils can provide just that. They create the perfect environment for them to thrive and you don’t have to spend your precious time mixing the medium yourself.
Just make sure to provide your African violets with water, sunlight, and some fertilizer, and they’ll flourish!