How to grow violets

❚ All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

Don't confuse violets with other members of the Viola genus, which is large and diverse and includes the pansy, Viola x wittrockiana. Confusingly, 'viola' is also the name given to short-lived bedding plants, similar to pansies but that flower in spring and summer. What's more, there are other, completely unrelated plants that have ‘violet’ as part of their name: the best-known of these are the house plant African violet, Streptocarpus, and the pond plant water violet, Hottonia palustris.

How to grow violets

Grow violets from seed or buy ready-grown plants to put in many different situations around the garden, ideally in groups for effect as violets are small. Once established, violets need little care and can spread by means of runners, or self-seed to create larger groups or drifts.

Where to grow violets

Sweet violet, Viola odorata — Sweet violet, *Viola odorata*

Violets do best in full sun or partial shade, in soil that's fertile with plenty of organic matter, and which drains well. Grow violets in a woodland garden, on rockeries and banks, at the front of borders or under shrubs with an open canopy that only cast a light shade.

How to plant violets

Violets are hardy and can be planted at any time of year when soil and weather permit. If conditions are dry, ensure plants are kept watered until they have established. When planting in groups, space plants 15cm apart.

How to care for violets

Violets need little care once established. The flowering on mature plants may decline, and plants can be rejuvenated by lifting, dividing and replanting.

How to propagate violets

Sow seed in autumn for those species that need a period of cold to germinate, such as sweet violet, Viola odorata, and place in a cold frame or an unheated sheltered spot outside. Species that don’t need cold can be sown in spring. Established plants can be divided in autumn or spring, and you can also propagate them from summer cuttings.

Growing violets: problem solving

Violets are usually trouble free.

Advice on buying violets

Violets can be bought from nurseries, garden centres and mail order suppliers as garden-ready plants
Specialist mail order nurseries offer a wide range of varieties

Where to buy violets

Violet varieties to grow

Sweet violet, Viola odorata

Viola cornuta flower — Horned violet, *Viola cornuta,* flower

Horned violet bears purple, white or purple and yellow, fragrant flowers on long stems. It's great for growing as ground cover and flowers for several months.

H x S: 50cm x 50cm

Dog violet, Viola riviniana

Perfect for partial shade, the dog violet is a native perennial flowering in March and April, bearin dark purple flowers when little else is in bloom.

H x S: 10cm x 20cm