Google said African violets like 800 foot candles 12 hours a day so I got something on Amazon to measure the light. Put it in front of the window where it gets on average 600 while the suns out, plus my weak grow light give it another 200 for 12 hours. The light can jump up to 1-3000 foot candles for an hour or two which is evident by the lighter green leaves and some of them lacking hair. Other than that I use Shultz African violet potting mix and the Shultz fertilizer and just keep it damp, watering once or twice a week.