Q: When and how do I water an African violet?

A: The best way to know when to water is to push a finger into the potting soil once each week. Water needs change each season, so make a habit of regular checking. African violet leaves can fade if cold water sits on them. A safe way to prevent this is to water from below. Place your pots in a shallow pan and fill it with water. The potting soil will soak up all of the water the plant needs in 30 minutes. Fertilizer can be mixed in the water. Once every six months, water heavily from above to wash out any fertilizer salts that could have accumulated in the soil.