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Everything You Need to Know About Growing Violas

If you are looking for an easy plant to grow that provides a pop of color in your garden, entryway, or pot, plus has endless color choices- grow violas! A must-have on your garden list.

Making them a top recommendation for beginner gardeners or those with small garden spaces, balcony gardens, or can only grow in containers.

Several pots of violas and pansy plants with a variety of colors and patterns

There are nearly 500 different species in the Viola genus, which include popular names such as; pansies, Johnny-jump-ups, and violets. Collectively all of these plants are called violas, and are in the same species “family”. Fun Fact:

Therefore, all four, violas, violets, pansies, and Johnny-jump-ups can be grown following the same plant care steps in this article.

Viola Plant Care – What, When & How of Growing Violas

While they are relatively easy to care for, there are a few things you should keep in mind when growing violas.

  • The ideal temperature violas thrive in is between 40- 75 degrees F.
  • Plant your violas outside in early spring (for most climates)
  • Selecting a healthy plant is key
  • Expect to pay between $1.25 – $1.95 for a 4″ pot
  • Excellent plant choice for pots
  • Plant in sun or shade, but minimize heat
  • You viola might be dying due to heat
  • Water; violas prefer semi-moist soil don’t let them dry out
  • Fertilize once a month to keep the plant blooming
  • Deadhead the spent blooms frequently
  • Some violas will grow back every year and self propagate – but not all
  • Top Care Tips:

When should I plant violas outside?

Violas, as well as pansies, violets and Johnny-jump-ups prefer cooler weather.

Violas can be planted outside early in the spring for most climate zones!

And for low desert climates such as Arizona, you can plant violas in October and November, enjoying them all the way through April.

A bright orange viola plant out of the pot

How early in spring?

After the last winter’s frost violas can be planted in containers, pots, or directly into your garden. As long as temperatures stay above freezing you are safe to plant them.

But, these are hardy plants, and I have had many do just fine when Mother Nature snuck in one last 32-degree F spring night! So, don’t be too hesitant to plant them a little earlier in the spring either.

Picking out your viola plants

Violas are often the very first seedlings nurseries will have for sale in the spring.

When selecting your favorite bloom variety, be sure to look select a healthy plant. This is one that has bright green leaves, and several bloom stalks already up.

If you can, find a plant that is nicely filing the 4″ pot they commonly come in.

Flip the plant over and see if any roots are coming out the drain holes. Look for no roots to a moderate amount of roots coming out of the drain holes. These plants can stay in a 4″ pot size or slightly larger.

Bottom of a viola plant pot showing how the roots are overgrown and matted on the bottom surface of the pot.

If there is a large mat of roots covering the outside, bottom of the pot, that means this plant is ready to burst out. I don’t recommend buying this plant. But if you have fallen in love, know it will need a larger pot ASAP.

How much do viola plants cost?

Cost can vary on these popular plants, but expect to pay between $1.25 – $1.95 for a 4″ pot seedling.

Don’t waste your money on a larger plant and pot size, such as a 6″, violas will grow rapidly. You can expect the plant to double in size with proper care in a matter of a month.

As most varieties of violas and pansies are annuals (meaning they grow for one season), this typically means they are a low-cost plant.

Many nurseries will have a bundle deal too. So keep a sharp eye out for these savings as well, because 5 plants for $4 is a steal – so good time to buy 20… am I right? 🤣

Can you grow violas in pots?

Violas make wonderful container plants! They brighten any porch, patio, or windowsill when planted in a decorative pot.

To ensure your viola has the best chance to thrive when planted in a pot, use a high quality potting mix that is designed for flowers.

Be sure to add some perlite to the potting mix to help with drainage, unless the mix already has it in.

A potting mix with a slow release fertilizer is a great idea too, but this can easily be added and mixed in as you add it to your pot.

violas and pansies look beautiful in container arrangements

It is also important to pick a pot that is not too large for the plant. A 6-inch pot is a great size for starting a single viola, you likely bought in a 4″ pot. And when they outgrow this size you can transplant them into a 8 or 12-inch pot.

The key thing, many people overlook when selecting a pot is making sure it has a drainage hole in the bottom or excess water to escape.

Gardeners enjoy using violas, pansies, and violets as the “filler” layer of planted container arrangements, because of their bright color and prolific growth.

Do Violas like sun or shade? And how much

Remember these flowers prefer cooler temperatures, so this will effect the amount of sun or shade they will need during the year.

They do not like the heat 🌡 created from a full sun location, if the temperatures exceed 65 degrees.

Violas will flower the best, and last the longest, when planted in full sun.
❄️ Cool = Full Sun ☀️ When it’s Cool…

This isn’t a problem when planting in the early, cool spring months, but if you add these to your garden in summer you’ll have to make sure they are shaded in the hot afternoon.

When the weather warms up, and the average temperature is 75 degrees, they will need less sun, and will grow and flower best in a part shade/sunny spot.
🔥 Warm = Part Sun 🌤 When it’s Hot…

Ideally morning sun for about 4-6 hours and by afternoon be in the shade when the average temperature is above 75 degrees.

Remember it’s more about temperatures and the heat the plants experience, not so much the direct sun and length of time they receive that sun.

Why are my violas dying?

Many gardener’s make the mistake of placing their pots near a concrete wall, against the house, on pavement, or up on a porch which will all increase the temperature around the plants.

If your plant’s leaves begin to yellow, and the blooms are not lasting as long, this is a sign the plant is getting too much sun and is burning.

If it is in a container, move it to a more shady spot during the afternoon sun, cut back the spent blooms, keep it watered and you’ll likely be able to revitalize the plant.

This will also cause the pot to warm up, heating the soil significantly, causing the roots to dry out faster and get too hot!

☀️ Sunny spot and ❄️ cool temperature is their favorite. In Conclusion:

How often do you need to 💦 water 💦 violas?

When to water your violas – Water when the soil feels slightly dry to the touch.

Violas prefer growing in a semi-moist soil, so this might require frequent watering when the outside temperature is high.

With consistent temperatures above 75 you more than likely will need to water 2-3 times per week.

Do note, that if your viola plants are in a container, or pot they will dry out sooner. Important:

Planting violas in pot is a great way to add color, they are easy to grow and do well in containers

However, do not over-water, as this can lead to root rot.

So, if your day time temperature is not exceeding 60 degrees you could plan to water at a 1 time per week frequency.

If your violas are planted in a container, make sure the bottom of the pot has a drainage hole.

This will ensure the excess water will be able to exit the pot, helping to minimize the risk of root rot from trapped, excess water.

Should I fertilize my violas?

To keep your violas blooming their best, light fertilizing is necessary. You can use an organic fertilizer that is balanced in it’s nutrient levels.

When using a water soluble fertilizer, mix into your watering can following the manufactuers instructions and fertilize your violas once per month during the growing season.

If you prefer a pellet fertilizer that mixes into the soil or sits on top of the soil, this can be an easy option because they are often applied once every 4 months.

Do note, that if your viola plants are in a container, or pot they will dry out sooner. Important:

Should I deadhead violas?

You will need to deadhead spent flowers regularly.

This means removing the flower heads after they fade and begin to wilt.

It’s ideal to pick these dead flowers in the morning, when the plant has the highest amount of built up moisture.

Will violas grow back every year and self propagate?

Some types of violas and pansies are annuals, which means they live for one growing season and then die.

Others are perennials, meaning they will come back year after year.

The most common type of viola that re-seeds each year is the Johnny Jump Up or viola tricolor. This plant is a vigorous grower and will quickly take over an area if not kept in check. The new plants that come back each year, however will be different colors.

Johnny-jump-up viola tricolor has self propagated

The viola sororia or the common blue violet is also a perennial and will self propagate and come back every year.

viola sororia or the common blue violet i

Viola seedlings are easy to transplant when they are small. You can simply pull them up and replant them where you would like.

Violas are a great addition to any garden, and with the endless color choices, you can find one that will perfectly match your style.

They are also perfect for beginner gardeners or those with small garden spaces, balcony gardens, or who can only grow in containers.

If you are looking for an easy plant to add color to your garden, violas should be at the top of your list!