Starting African Violets from Seed: Pollination, Harvesting, and Germination

Getting Seeds

Easiest: buy from a reputable online seller. African violets are tricky to pollinate, and seed-grown plants rarely resemble the parent.

Hand Pollination

1. Identify the first flower to open as the "female" flower.
2. After 2–3 days, when another flower opens, designate it as the "male" flower.
3. Use a small paintbrush to collect pollen from the male flower and transfer it to the center of the female flower.
4. If successful, a seed pod forms in about 30 days. If no pod forms, try again.
5. Pod matures in about 2 months. Remove and carefully crack open to harvest seeds.

Growing from Seed

1. Medium: Peat moss, fully dampened (moist but not wet).
2. Sowing: Spread tiny seeds evenly over the surface. Do not cover—they are too small.
3. Humidity: Mist lightly and cover container with plastic wrap.
4. Light: Bright window out of direct sun or under fluorescent lights.
5. Moisture: Keep peat moss moist; mist when surface dries.
6. Germination: 1–9 weeks.

Transplanting Seedlings

Transplant to individual pots when the largest leaf is about ½ inch wide. Separate crowded seedlings when leaves are ¼ inch wide.