Violet plants are small flowering plants that come in a variety of colors, including purple, blue, white, and pink. They have small, heart-shaped leaves and delicate trumpet-shaped flowers. They are typically low-maintenance, easy to care for, and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Violets prefer bright, indirect sunlight and moist, well-draining soil. They are often used as houseplants or in rock gardens, borders, and containers.
Planning Your Garden With Violets
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
Life Cycle | Violets are usually perennial, but some varieties are annual or biennial. |
USDA Zone | Violets are hardy in USDA Zones 4-9. |
Cold Tolerance | Violets are cold tolerant and can survive in temperatures down to 25. |
Days to harvest | Violets typically take between 8-10 weeks to reach maturity and be ready for harvest. |
Average size | The average size of a full grown violet plant is between 6 and 12 inches in height and width. |
Spacing requirements | Violets prefer a spacing of 4 to 5 inches between plants when grown in a pot or container. When planting in the ground, space the plants 6 to 8 inches apart. |
Sun tolerance | Violets prefer indirect sunlight and should be kept out of direct sunlight as it can cause sunburn and damage to the leaves. |
Shade tolerance | Violets are shade tolerant and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. They prefer partial shade in hot climates, and full sun in cooler climates. |
Water requirements | Violets need moist soil and require consistent watering to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Water your violets when the top inch of soil is dry. Aim to water the soil until it is evenly moist throughout. Avoid splashing the leaves and flowers when watering. |
Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing violets depends on the type of fertilizer you are using. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. For best results, use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for violets and follow the instructions on the package for the recommended amount. |
Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing violets is between 5.5 and 6.5. |
Why Violets are Popular
People like to grow violets because they are beautiful, easy to care for, and come in a variety of colors. They are also relatively low maintenance and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Additionally, they have a pleasant fragrance and can be used in floral arrangements and bouquets.
Companion Plants For Violets
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for violets include:
Common Pests For Violets
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow violets, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- fungus gnats
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
- scale insects
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.