How to Grow and Care for Viola Flowers

About Growing Viola Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Viola flowers are dainty and pretty. They are easy to grow. There are annual and perennial varieties of this cool-weather plant. Perennial varieties are often grown as an annual. They are early bloomers in late spring to early summer. Then sadly, these bright and cheerful flowers shrivel in the mid-summer heat. So, make sure to start growing violas as early in the spring as possible. And, you can plant them again as cool weather arrives for a splash of color in the Fall. Use this guide on “How to Grow Viola Plants” to grow these beautiful plants almost anywhere.

Small plants produce a wealth of dainty, clear-faced, fragrant blooms in jewel-like shades; yellow, apricot, blue, scarlet, white, and violet. Viola is generally more winter-hardy than the larger-flowered pansy.

Viola is popular, easy, and fun to grow. Fill an area or entire bed with Viola for a striking spring effect! They also are great for windowsills and containers.

Did you Know? Pansies and Violas are part of a closely related family.

Viola Flowers Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: A wide variety of perky colors.

Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to Summer.

Plant height: Eight inches tall, with 2 to 3-inch flowers.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 8

Light Needs: Full sunlight to partial sun.

Toxic Plant?: No.

Deer Resistant? No.

Number of Species: Approximately 500 species.

Plant Type: Annuals and Perennials.

Native To: Europe and North America.

Botanical Name: Viola spp.

Other Names: Johnny Jump Up, Pansy, Violet

Are Viola Flowers Edible?

Some varieties YES, other varieties NO.

It is important to know which varieties are edible before adding Viola plants to a salad or other recipes. We recommend you research a variety before you eat it.

The most common culinary use is as a garnish.

Medicinal Uses for Viola Fowers

Viola plants are used in a wide variety of traditional are some of the medicinal applications. Here are some of the uses:

It is an anti-inflammatory.
Lowers blood pressure.
Use it to treat skin problems.
It aids in digestion.
Treatment for cysts.
It fights cancer.
Use it as a topical treatment for acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Light Requirements

In cooler, more northerly areas of the country, plant them in full sun. Also, they benefit from a little afternoon shade.

In hotter regions, grow these cool-weather plants grow best in partial sun to light shade.

Viola Plant Propagation

Violas are grown from seeds. They like full to partial sun. Viola can be directly seeded into your flower garden or seeded indoors for transplanting later. For spring blooms, you need to start your Viola in pots and containers indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.

Sow Viola seeds early in the season and cover lightly with 1/8″ soil. Water thoroughly once. They germinate slowly.

Transplant Viola seedlings into your garden after the last frost date for your area. Space them 6″ apart. They will tolerate a little crowding. If you are creating a flower bed, you may want to create a pattern or color scheme before planting. Or, use mixed varieties.

Note: For indoor starts, we recommend using a heated germination mat, to increase the speed of germination. And, it, results in a higher germination rate.

Final Plant Spacing: Space plants 6 – 8 inches apart.

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 10 – 14 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Viola Flower Plants

Planting location and soil needs:

Viola plants prefer cool to somewhat warm climates. They wilt a bit in mid-summer heat. In warmer areas, we recommend planting them in partial shade. Select a planting location accordingly.

The plants grow best in rich soil. However, they tolerate a variety of soils. Mix compost into the planting site. After planting, apply a light application of general-purpose fertilizer. Then, water the planting site.

Once your Viola plants are established, they should grow well, even if left unattended.

Fertilizer needs:

Apply a general-purpose fertilizer once a month. As buds begin to appear on the plants, switch to a fertilizer high in phosphorus during the blooming period.

As Fall nears and the weather begins to cool, apply another dose of fertilizer high in phosphorus. This helps to promote new blooms in the Fall.

Water needs:

As a rule of thumb, the soil should be moist, but not wet. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week.

Other steps:

Keep the plants well weeded.

Also, apply a light layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture.

Pruning

These small plants need little or no pruning. Simply remove any dead, or diseased leaves as you spot them.

Remove spent blooms to promote additional blooms and extend the blooming period. This will also keep the appearance neat and beautiful. More on deadheading flowers.

Growing Viola Flowers in Flowerpots and Containers

Violas are small, flowering plants. This makes them perfect for growing in flowerpots and containers on your patio or deck.

In addition to the how to grow steps above, here are a few additional steps for growing them in containers:

These flowers tolerate a little overcrowding. So, grow them in containers a little closer than the normal recommended spacing.
Select a sunny or partially shady location on your patio or deck.
Deck and patios often get hotter than in your flower garden. In hotter weather, you can move the planter into shade in the afternoon.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
The plant grows best in evenly moist soil. Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every few days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Insects and Plant Disease

Viola plants seldom have problems with insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Overwintering Viola Plants

After the first killing frost, pull up annual Viola plants and put them into your composter.

Perennial Violas are hardy and usually do not need any special steps to prepare them for overwintering. However, a layer of mulch will protect the roots in areas that have harsh winters.