Why Shouldn’T African Violet Be Allowed Two Crowns – Your Guide To

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever looked at your African violet and noticed it seems a little… crowded? Perhaps you’ve spotted a second, smaller cluster of leaves emerging from the base, making the whole plant look a bit lopsided. It might even feel like a happy accident, like you’re getting two plants for the price of one!

I get it completely. In gardening, more growth usually feels like a win. But when it comes to African violets, this “buy one, get one free” situation can actually hold your plant back from its glorious, full-blooming potential.

Don’t worry, this is one of the most common things new African violet parents encounter. In this complete guide, I promise to walk you through exactly why you should aim for a single-crowned plant. We’ll explore the reasons why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns, the amazing benefits of separating them, and a simple, step-by-step tutorial to do it safely. You’re about to unlock the secret to a healthier, more beautiful violet.

What Exactly Is a “Crown” on an African Violet?

Before we dive in, let’s get our terms straight. It sounds regal, but a “crown” is simply the horticultural term for the central growing point of your African violet. It’s the very heart of the plant from which all new leaves emerge in a circular, wheel-like pattern.

A healthy, happy African violet naturally wants to grow from one single crown. This allows it to form that beautiful, flat, symmetrical rosette shape that enthusiasts and show growers prize so highly.

So, what is that second crown? That little mini-plant growing off the main stem is affectionately known as a “sucker.” It’s a new plantlet that has started to form, either from the base of the plant or in the “axil” — the little joint where a leaf stem meets the main stalk. While it’s a sign of a vigorous plant, it’s also a sign that it’s time for a little friendly intervention.

The Core Reasons Why Shouldn’t African Violet Be Allowed Two Crowns

So, you’ve identified a sucker. What’s the big deal? It might seem harmless, but allowing that second crown to grow creates several problems that prevent your plant from truly thriving. This section is your essential why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns guide to understanding the core issues.

Competition for Critical Resources

Think of it this way: you have two separate plants living in a pot built for one. Both the main crown and the sucker are pulling from the same limited supply of water, nutrients, and soil. This intense competition means neither plant gets what it truly needs to flourish.

The result? You’ll often see smaller leaves, weaker stems, and an overall lack of vigor in both the parent plant and the sucker. It’s a lose-lose situation where both are just trying to survive instead of thrive.

Loss of the Classic Rosette Shape

One of the greatest joys of growing African violets is their perfect, symmetrical form. A single crown grows outwards in a beautiful, even rosette. When a sucker develops, it pushes against the leaves of the main plant, distorting this shape.

Your once-symmetrical violet will start to look crowded, tangled, and misshapen. It loses that elegant aesthetic and begins to look more like a chaotic bush. For anyone who loves the classic look of these plants, this is a major drawback.

Drastically Reduced and Smaller Blooms

This is the reason that convinces most gardeners. Your African violet has a finite amount of energy. When it has two or more crowns, it must split that energy between maintaining multiple sets of leaves and root systems. What gets sacrificed? The flowers.

A multi-crowned plant will produce far fewer blooms, and the flowers it does manage to create will often be smaller and less vibrant. By forcing the plant to support extra foliage, you are robbing it of the energy it needs to put on a spectacular floral show.

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Increased Risk of Pests and Disease

A dense, overgrown plant with multiple crowns is a magnet for trouble. The tightly packed leaves reduce air circulation, creating a humid, stagnant environment around the base of the plant. This is the perfect breeding ground for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and crown rot.

Furthermore, pests like mealybugs and spider mites love to hide in the crowded, hard-to-reach crevices of a multi-crowned plant. Addressing these common problems with why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns is much easier when your plant has an open, single-crown structure.

The Amazing Benefits of Maintaining a Single Crown

Now for the good part! By taking a few minutes to remove that sucker, you are setting your plant up for incredible success. The benefits of why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns are immediate and long-lasting.

  • More Abundant and Larger Flowers: With all its energy focused on a single growing point, your violet will thank you with a profusion of big, beautiful, and long-lasting blooms. This is the number one reward!
  • A Beautifully Symmetrical Plant: You’ll restore the plant’s natural, elegant rosette form, creating a stunning specimen that looks healthy and well-cared-for.
  • Healthier, More Vigorous Growth: The main crown will receive all the available resources, leading to larger, lusher, and more richly colored leaves. It will develop a stronger root system, making it more resilient overall.
  • You Get a Free Plant (The Right Way!): That sucker you remove isn’t trash! It’s a perfect clone of the parent plant. By potting it up separately, you are engaging in sustainable why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns practices. It’s an eco-friendly way to multiply your collection or share with friends.

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Safely Separate Two Crowns

Ready to perform a little plant surgery? Don’t be nervous! This process is simple and very rewarding. This is how to why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns and get a new plant in the process. Follow these steps for success.

First, Gather Your Tools

Being prepared makes everything easier. You’ll need:

  • A small, sharp tool (a craft knife, a scalpel, or even the tip of a clean pencil can work for tiny suckers)
  • Tweezers or a specialized “sucker plucker” tool
  • Rubbing alcohol to sterilize your tools
  • A small pot (1-2 inches) with drainage holes for the new plantlet
  • Fresh African violet potting mix

Step 1: Identify the Sucker vs. the Main Crown

Look closely at your plant from above. The main crown will be the largest, most central growth point. The sucker will be a smaller rosette of leaves emerging from the side, often tucked under the leaves of the main plant. Make sure you know which is which before you begin.

Step 2: The Gentle Removal Process

How you remove the sucker depends on its size. Always sterilize your tools with rubbing alcohol first to prevent the spread of disease.

For small suckers (less than an inch across): You can often gently pry them out. Use the tip of a pencil or a pair of tweezers to get underneath the sucker’s base and gently pop it off the main stem. Try to get a little bit of stem with it.

For large, established suckers: If the sucker is large and seems to have its own root system, it’s best to remove the entire plant from its pot. Gently crumble the soil away to expose the connection point. Use your sterilized knife to make a clean cut, ensuring each crown has some of its own roots attached. This is one of the most important why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns tips for success.

Step 3: Potting Up Your New Plantlet

You did it! Now you have a tiny new plant. Fill your small pot with pre-moistened African violet mix. Make a small indentation in the center and nestle the base of the sucker into it. Gently firm the soil around it to hold it in place.

Do not use a pot that is too large! A small pot encourages faster root growth and prevents the soil from staying wet for too long, which can cause rot.

Step 4: Aftercare for Both Mother and Child

Your plants need a little TLC after the procedure. Place the main plant back in its spot. For the newly potted sucker, create a mini-greenhouse to boost humidity, which is crucial for root development. Simply place a clear plastic baggie over the pot, propped up with a toothpick so it doesn’t touch the leaves.

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Keep both plants in bright, indirect light and water sparingly until you see signs of new growth. After a few weeks, you can remove the bag from the new plantlet and begin caring for it as you would any other African violet.

Best Practices for Preventing Multiple Crowns

The best way to manage suckers is to catch them early. Adopting these why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns best practices will make your life much easier.

Make it a habit to inspect your plant closely every time you water. Gently part the leaves and look down at the main stem and leaf axils. When you spot a tiny sucker—often with just 2-4 minuscule leaves—you can easily remove it with the tip of a pencil or tweezers before it becomes a problem.

This regular maintenance takes only a few seconds but ensures your plant’s energy is always directed toward beautiful growth and abundant flowers. It’s the cornerstone of a great why shouldn’t african violet be allowed two crowns care guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About African Violet Crowns

How can I tell the difference between a new flower stalk and a sucker?

This is a fantastic question! At first, they can look similar. A flower stalk (or peduncle) typically looks like a tiny, clasped pair of hands on a thin, leafless stem. A sucker will always have tiny, recognizable leaves forming a miniature rosette right from the start.

What if my two crowns are the same size? Which one should I keep?

If you have two equally large crowns, it’s best to separate them as described in the step-by-step guide. After separating, you can choose the one that has the most symmetrical shape and the healthiest root system to be your “main” plant. The other becomes a fantastic, mature plant to keep or give away!

I separated the crowns, but the new plantlet died. What did I do wrong?

Don’t be discouraged! This can happen, especially when you’re first learning. The most common reasons are a lack of humidity (forgetting to bag it), rot from overwatering, or not getting enough stem/roots during separation. Just try again next time—every sucker is a new opportunity to practice.

Is it ever okay to let an African violet have two crowns?

Yes, there is one major exception: trailing African violets. These varieties are specifically cultivated to produce multiple crowns and grow in a cascading, vine-like habit. For all standard, non-trailing varieties, however, a single crown is always the goal for optimal health and beauty.

Your Path to a Perfect Violet

There you have it! The mystery of the double-crowned African violet is solved. It’s not a sign of a problem, but rather an opportunity to create a healthier, more beautiful plant while also propagating a brand new one for free.

Remember, the key reasons we aim for a single crown are to prevent resource competition, maintain that gorgeous symmetrical shape, and, most importantly, encourage a spectacular show of flowers.

So go on, take a brave peek at the base of your violet. If you see a sucker, see it as a gift. Follow the steps, trust the process, and get ready to be rewarded with a stunning, single-crowned beauty that is the envy of your plant-loving friends. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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