Leaf Issues

Yellowing Leaves

Symptoms: Leaves turning yellow starting from the bottom, sometimes progressing upward, may show pale or washed-out color before fully yellowing Common Causes:

• Overwatering causing root stress and nutrient lockout
• Natural aging of older leaves (normal if limited to bottom leaves)
• Nitrogen deficiency from lack of feeding during growing season

Solutions:

• Check soil moisture and adjust watering schedule - allow top inch to dry between waterings
• Remove yellowed leaves at the base to prevent fungal issues
• Feed with diluted balanced fertilizer (1/4 strength) every 2-3 weeks during active growth

Prevention: Establish consistent watering routine, use well-draining African violet potting mix, and maintain regular feeding schedule during spring/summer

Brown/Crispy Leaves

Symptoms: Leaf edges turning brown and crispy, sometimes with dry patches spreading inward, leaves may curl or become papery Common Causes:

• Low humidity (below 40%)
• Direct sunlight exposure causing leaf scorch
• Fluoride/chlorine sensitivity from tap water

Solutions:

• Increase humidity using pebble trays or group plants together
• Move to bright indirect light location away from direct sun
• Switch to filtered or distilled water, or let tap water sit 24 hours before use

Prevention: Maintain 50-60% humidity, provide filtered bright light, and use room temperature water free from chemicals

Drooping/Wilting

Symptoms: Leaves become limp and droopy despite adequate soil moisture, may appear soft or lose their normal texture Common Causes:

• Temperature stress from cold drafts or heat sources
• Root rot from overwatering and poor drainage
• Transplant shock after repotting

Solutions:

• Check for root health - healthy roots should be white/cream colored
• Move away from air vents, radiators, or cold windows
• If root rot present, trim affected roots and repot in fresh soil

Prevention: Keep temperatures between 65-75°F, ensure proper drainage holes, and repot only when necessary in spring

Leaf Drop

Symptoms: Sudden dropping of seemingly healthy leaves, may affect new or old growth, leaves detach easily when touched Common Causes:

• Sudden temperature changes or cold drafts
• Severe underwatering causing stress
• Natural dormancy period in winter

Solutions:

• Stabilize temperature and eliminate drafts
• Resume proper watering if soil is completely dry
• Reduce watering and feeding during winter dormancy

Prevention: Maintain consistent environment, monitor soil moisture regularly, and adjust care seasonally

Growth Issues

Stunted Growth

Symptoms: Little to no new growth during active season, existing leaves remain small, plant appears stuck in time Common Causes:

• Pot-bound roots with no room to expand
• Insufficient light for photosynthesis
• Depleted soil nutrients after extended time without repotting

Solutions:

• Check roots and repot if circling the pot (spring is best)
• Move to brighter location with more indirect light
• Begin regular feeding program with African violet fertilizer

Prevention: Repot every 1-2 years, provide adequate bright indirect light, and maintain consistent feeding schedule

Leggy/Stretching Growth

Symptoms: Long leaf stems with sparse foliage, leaves reaching toward light source, overall sparse appearance Common Causes:

• Insufficient light causing etiolation
• Overcrowding with other plants
• Lack of rotation causing one-sided growth

Solutions:

• Move closer to east or north-facing window
• Provide more space between plants for air circulation
• Rotate plant 1/4 turn weekly for even growth

Prevention: Ensure 10-12 hours of bright indirect light daily, avoid dark corners, consider grow lights in winter

Pest Problems

Mealybugs

Identification: White, cotton-like clusters in leaf joints and undersides, waxy coating on bugs Damage Signs: Sticky honeydew on leaves, yellowing, stunted growth, sooty mold development Treatment:

• Dab individual bugs with cotton swab dipped in 70% rubbing alcohol
• Spray with insecticidal soap solution weekly until eliminated
• For severe infestations, use neem oil spray every 5-7 days Prevention: Quarantine new plants, inspect regularly, maintain good air circulation, avoid overwatering

Thrips

Identification: Tiny (1-2mm) slender insects, tan or dark colored, visible when disturbed Damage Signs: Silver or bronze streaks on leaves, distorted growth, flower damage, tiny black specks (droppings) Treatment:

• Remove heavily damaged leaves and flowers
• Apply blue sticky traps to catch adults
• Treat with spinosad or insecticidal soap every 3-5 days for 2 weeks Prevention: Inspect new plants carefully, maintain proper humidity, remove spent flowers promptly

Cyclamen Mites

Identification: Microscopic mites not visible to naked eye, require magnification to see Damage Signs: Distorted, curled new growth, brittle leaves, stunted flowering, russeting of leaves Treatment:

• Isolate affected plant immediately to prevent spread
• Remove and destroy all affected growth
• Treat with miticide specifically labeled for cyclamen mites Prevention: Avoid overhead watering, quarantine new plants for 2-3 weeks, maintain moderate humidity

Disease Issues

Botrytis (Gray Mold)

Symptoms: Gray fuzzy mold on leaves and flowers, especially in crown, brown spots that spread rapidly Causes: High humidity combined with poor air circulation, overhead watering, dead plant material Treatment:

• Remove all affected parts immediately
• Improve air circulation with fans
• Apply fungicide if severe, reduce watering frequency Prevention: Water at soil level, remove dead material promptly, ensure good ventilation, avoid crowding

Crown Rot

Symptoms: Soft, mushy crown center, foul odor, leaves easily pull away from base Causes: Water accumulation in crown, overwatering, poor drainage, contaminated tools Treatment:

• Remove plant from pot and inspect roots
• Cut away all rotted tissue with sterile knife
• Let cuts dry and treat with fungicide before repotting Prevention: Never water directly into crown, ensure excellent drainage, sterilize tools between plants

Root Problems

Root Rot

Symptoms: Yellowing leaves despite moist soil, wilting that doesn't improve with watering, foul soil smell Identification: Roots appear brown/black and mushy instead of white/cream and firm Treatment:

• Remove from pot and wash roots gently
• Trim all affected roots with sterile scissors
• Repot in fresh, sterile potting mix with excellent drainage Prevention: Use well-draining soil, ensure pots have drainage holes, allow soil to partially dry between waterings

Root Bound

Symptoms: Roots circling pot bottom, water runs through quickly, growth slows despite good care Identification: Roots visible through drainage holes, solid root mass when removed from pot Treatment:

• Gently tease apart circling roots
• Repot in container 1-2 inches larger
• Use fresh African violet potting mix Prevention: Check annually in spring, repot every 1-2 years, choose appropriate pot size

Environmental Stress

Temperature Shock

Symptoms: Sudden leaf drop, wilting, blackened areas on leaves, flower bud drop Causes: Exposure to temperatures below 55°F or above 80°F, cold drafts, hot air from heaters Treatment: Move to stable temperature area, remove damaged growth, reduce watering until recovery Prevention: Maintain 65-75°F consistently, keep away from windows in winter, avoid heat sources

Humidity Issues

Low Humidity Symptoms: Brown leaf tips, slow growth, increased pest susceptibility, failure to flower High Humidity Symptoms: Fungal growth, soft rot, mold development, weak stems Solutions: Use humidity trays for low humidity, increase ventilation for high humidity, aim for 50-60% Prevention: Monitor with hygrometer, use appropriate humidity methods, ensure air movement

Light Stress

Too Much Light: Bleached or yellow patches on leaves, scorched edges, compact stunted growth Too Little Light: Pale leaves, leggy growth, few or no flowers, leaves reaching toward light Solutions: Adjust position relative to window, use sheer curtains for filtering, supplement with grow lights Prevention: Provide bright indirect light, avoid direct sun exposure, rotate plant regularly

Quick Diagnostic Guide

Emergency Symptoms

When to Seek Help

• Multiple problems occurring simultaneously despite proper care
• Rapid decline not responding to treatment within 1-2 weeks
• Uncertain pest or disease identification needing expert diagnosis

Prevention Checklist

• [ ] Water at soil level, never in crown
• [ ] Provide bright indirect light, no direct sun
• [ ] Maintain 50-60% humidity levels
• [ ] Keep temperatures between 65-75°F
• [ ] Feed regularly during growing season
• [ ] Inspect weekly for pests and diseases

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Remove affected parts, adjust care conditions, begin appropriate treatment Week 2-3: New growth should begin emerging, continue monitoring and treatment Month 1+: Full recovery with proper care, resume normal maintenance routine

Remember: Most Streptocarpus 'Mabel' problems are preventable with proper care. When in doubt, adjust watering first, then light conditions.