How to Plant and Grow Violet

While many of the 500+ species of violets are perennial, these rugged plants can also be treated as annual plants for early spring color. Because violets tolerate cold temperatures, they can be the first flowering plants placed outdoors in the garden or containers. Once violets are in the ground, they'll reseed for years.

Violets come in a whole rainbow of colors. They're usually found in bright jewel tones, but softer pastel varieties exist. Many types also feature multicolor blooms with intricate patterns on their faces. In addition to their visual appeal, violets are a fragrant annual.

This small plant can stand up well as a cut flower in a small bud vase. Plus, edible violet petals can be used to garnish cakes and pastries or tossed in a salad for a bright pop of color. A caution: Only eat flowers known to come from a pesticide-free source.

Where to Plant Violets

Plant violets along garden borders or line walkways with them. They're a good flower to plant along with spring-blooming plants since they'll keep their color as other shorter-lived flowers fade. If you want flowers to return reliably every year, check to make sure that the violets you choose are hardy for your Zone since there are so many varieties.

How and When to Plant Violets

In most regions, you can plant violets in early spring or fall. Violet seedlings are available early in the spring in cool places and at the end of the summer in warmer locations. If planting a seedling, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and space your plants approximately 6 to 12 inches apart (depending on your cultivar's specifications). Plant trailing and spreading types about 10 to 12 inches apart.

If growing violets from seed, plan to sow them about 3 months before you want them to bloom (or 8 to 12 weeks before the last frost). Prepare a grow tray or small pot with well-draining potting soil and moisten the soil thoroughly. Scatter the seeds thinly on the surface of the soil (you can thin them out once they begin to germinate). Cover the seeds completely and tamp the soil down gently.  Keep the soil evenly moist and your seedlings should emerge in about 2 weeks. After the seedlings emerge, keep them in ample sunlight. The seedlings can be planted in the ground in the early spring or fall after a week-long period of hardening off.

In some regions (like the southern United States) you can sow violet seeds directly into the ground in late summer or early fall. Sow the seeds thinly and evenly and then cover them with a 1/4-inch layer
of soil. Tamp down the soil to hold the seeds in place and then water thoroughly while being careful not to disturb the seeds. Keep the soil evenly moist. Depending on the climate and soil conditions, your seedlings should emerge in 1 to 2 weeks.

Violet Care Tips

Violas are fairly easy to care for and bloom for many months.

Light

Although violets can live in various light conditions, most will grow best in full sun to partial shade. Some woodland species tolerate more shade; they can be planted in areas considered to be full shade. In warmer climates, plant violets in areas that receive afternoon shade to help keep plants cool in the hot summer months. Even if you do this, it may not be enough to pull violets through because they're cool season plants. For this reason, violets often are treated as annuals and torn out once summer begins.

Soil and Water

Many violets are best grown in a woodland-type setting using rich, organic soils. Make sure violets have consistent moisture, especially in warmer months, but don't overwater, because violets can develop root rot or moldy leaves if left in standing water.

Temperature and Humidity

While violets do ok in the cold, they are neither drought-tolerant nor heat-tolerant. If it gets very warm, add mulch to keep them cool.

Fertilizer

When planting, add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil. Fertilize again in spring and late summer or early fall to extend bloom time.

Pruning

Deadhead violets to promote new flower growth. If plants begin to look overgrown, cut them back to 3 inches high to rejuvenate them and encourage more flowers.

Potting and Repotting Violet

Both the trailing and mounding types of violas are well-suited to pots. When growing annual-type violets in containers, choose a well-drained potting mix. Using a slow-release fertilizer will help encourage continuous blooms. Plant at least 6 inches apart in containers at least 4 inches deep to give the plants room to spread out. Keep the plants well hydrated (you may need to water daily as the weather warms) and fertilize lightly each month. The annual plants will fade in hot summer temperatures so will not need repotting.

Pests and Problems

Viola is susceptible to gray mold. Give them enough sun and plenty of air, and make sure they're not in standing water to avoid this problem. Garden pests like mites and aphids can be treated with a blast of water from a garden hose, and if that doesn't work, try insecticidal soap. If your violet's leaves are drooping, they may be crowded or not getting the right amount of water.

How to Propagate Violet

Violets can be propagated from seeds or from cuttings taken early in the growing season. If you want to seed indoors for transplant after the last freeze, start two to three months before. Add a few seeds to each pot of soil and cover, keeping them in a dark place. After about two weeks, the seeds should start to sprout.

To propagate from cuttings, take 2- to 3-inch cuttings below a node. Strip the leaves from the bottom of the stem and add each cutting to a pot with composted soil to the lowest leaf on the stem. If planting more than one stem in a pot, make sure they don't touch. Once they've rooted, move them to individual pots.

Types of Violet

Common Blue Violet

Viola sororia, also known as the common blue violet, is native to the United States. It blooms most heavily in spring and occasionally throughout the summer. Zones 3-7

Johnny-Jump-Up

Viola tricolor has tufts of heart-shaped leaves and plenty of 1-inch yellow and purple flowers with brown "whiskers" and purple "chin" over a long period. It self-seeds freely. It grows to 5 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 3-9 but is often treated as an annual.

'Molly Sanderson' Johnny-Jump-Up

This selection of Viola tricolor has almost-black flowers that are yellow at the throat. It grows 8 inches tall and is hardy in Zones 3-9.

'Sorbet Coconut Swirl' Viola

Viola cornuta 'Sorbet Coconut Swirl' is a delight with creamy-white flowers edged in rich lavender. It's a heat-resistant variety that grows 1 foot tall. Zones 4-9.

'Sorbet Coconut Duet' Viola

This variety of Viola cornuta shows off purple and white flowers on a compact, 12-inch-tall, heat-resistant plant. Zones 4-9

Sweet Violet

The sweet violet has one of the loveliest scents of the various violets, along with the classic purple blooms. Zones 4-8

Violet Companion Plants

Bleeding heart

Bleeding heart grows best in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Some types bloom only in spring, and others bloom in spring, summer, and fall, provided temperatures aren't too high. Zones 3-9

English Daisy

Technically a perennial, English daisy is usually best treated as a biennial (it takes two years to bloom and then dies in the fall) in the South and an annual in the North. Plants survive down to about 10ºF. In cool climates, such as England and the Pacific Northwest, they'll bloom from spring planting until summer heat arrives. Zones 4-8

Forget-Me-Not

Forget-me-nots are delicate plants with little blue flowers. Forget-me-nots are excellent in pots, as edgings, and planted close as a groundcover. These short-lived plants, mostly treated as biennials, reseed generously. The flowers have bright, tiny yellow eyes and bloom in spring and early summer. Zones 3-8

Violet Garden Plan

Small Space Garden Plan

You only need a few feet of yard space and six plants to execute this eye-catching garden plan. It features colorful contributors like bearded iris, creeping phlox, and forget-me-nots alongside two viola cultivars. It's a cheerful springtime display that is perfect for a sunny garden nook.