African violets, Saintpaulia, start from a leaf with its petiole. Iowa State, Illinois Extension, and UNL describe that leaf in mix. UVM Extension also roots the petiole in water. Leaf-in-water stays on this page. For mix in a drained pot, see soil propagation. For jars in general, see water propagation.
Leaf in mix
Iowa State FAQ: take a firm, healthy leaf with a sharp knife. Leave 1 to 1 1/2 inches of petiole on the blade. Fill a pot with a moist 50:50 mix of vermiculite and coarse sand. Insert the petiole at a 45 degree angle. Firm the mix. Water and let it drain. Cover with a clear plastic bag, taped or banded to the pot. Bright light. Iowa: roots usually in three to four weeks. New leaves usually in six to eight weeks. Several plants often form at the base of each petiole. Pull or cut them apart and pot each one in well-drained mix.
Iowa State’s petiole guide (Saintpaulia named): hormone is optional. Use a pencil to open a hole. If the petiole is too short to stand, bury a little of the blade. Early spring is the ideal time; most houseplants can be done any time of year. Four to six hours of bright, indirect light. Air 65 to 75 F on that page. A heat mat to 75 to 80 F in the mix is optional there. Do not seal the bag so tight that air cannot move.
UVM Extension: about one inch of stem into moist potting mix at 45 degrees, then a bag or an inverted jar. Indirect light. Vent if moisture builds up. UVM: roots in 3 to 4 weeks, tiny leaves about a month later. Separate when the plantlets are about the size of a dime.
Illinois Extension: insert the petiole into pre-moistened media, cover with a clear bag, bright but indirect light. New plants form at the base of the leaf or petiole. The old leaf can be cut away once they have formed.
Petiole length is not one number. Iowa State: 1 to 1 1/2 inches. UVM: about one inch in mix.
Leaf in water
UVM Extension: stand a leaf with its stem in room-temperature water. Roots in a few weeks. When they are more than a quarter inch long, pot the leaf into mix as above.
Iowa State’s petiole page also allows a jar instead of mix for houseplants in general: change the water one to two times a week, keep roots covered, and pot when roots are about 1 inch long. Those water roots are coarser and may wilt after the move. UVM’s quarter inch and Iowa’s about 1 inch are not the same trigger. Keep both, named.
Common mistakes
- A leaf with no petiole in the mix. Iowa State and Illinois want the leaf stem in the medium.
- A sealed bag in hot sun. Iowa State and Illinois want bright, not scorching, light.
- Letting jar water drop off the developing roots. Iowa State: keep the water over the roots and change it.
- Yanking plantlets before they have roots. Iowa: wait for the new leaves, then separate.
People also ask
How long until I see a new plant?
Iowa State: roots in three to four weeks, new leaves in six to eight weeks. UVM: roots in 3 to 4 weeks, tiny leaves about a month later.
Mix or water?
Iowa State’s FAQ is mix. UVM describes both. Leaf-in-water is the H2 above, not a second URL.
Can I divide an African violet?
UNL lists division. UVM: a large sucker can be cut from the root ball and potted. Leaf cuttings stay the main method on this page.
How much petiole do I leave?
Iowa State: 1 to 1 1/2 inches. UVM: about one inch in mix.