African Violet Crown Rot: Diagnosis and Prevention

Drooping Leaves Despite Care: The Crown Rot Verdict

Your 5-year-old inherited violet shows classic crown rot symptoms: blooms finished, leaves drooping without discoloration, no improvement after top-dressing with worm castings, and dry soil surface despite bottom watering.

What Is Crown Rot?

A fatal fungal infection (often Pythium or Phytophthora) attacking the crown and roots. Caused by:

• Overwatering (even brief periods)
• Poor drainage
• Fungal spores in soil or water

There is no cure once crown rot sets in.

Immediate Actions

1. Discard the plant—do not compost.
2. Sterilize the pot with bleach solution (1:9) or dishwasher before reuse.
3. Do not reuse the soil.
4. Propagate from healthy leaves if any remain unaffected—root in water or sterile mix.

Prevention for Future Plants

• Use light, well-draining mix: ⅓ peat, ⅓ vermiculite, ⅓ perlite.
• Water only when top soil feels dry.
• Never let pots sit in standing water.
• Sterilize pots between uses.

Even expert growers lose plants to crown rot—it's arbitrary and devastating. Don't blame yourself; start fresh with a leaf from a healthy plant.