As a consequence, buds will fail to open, plant growth will be slow and foliage will begin to lose its natural luster. Distinguishing Symptoms Buds do not open . If your African Violet exhibits this symptom, while appearing otherwise healthy, it very likely is not getting enough humidity. However, be sure to rule out the possibility of a Phosphorus Deficiency . Other Symptoms Leaves darken on the edge .
Leaves are dry and shriveled .
Plant growth is slow . There are a number of ways to increase the amount of humidity around your African Violets. First, you can create a favorable microclimate by grouping your Violets together. This, by itself, can increase the humidity around your plants by as much as 15 percent. In addition to creating a favorable microclimate for your Violets, you may also want to try a self-watering device which uses capillary matting, such as the Watermaid .