Violas are a beloved flower known for their cheerful, pansy-like blooms that appear in early spring. With their sweet faces and rich colors, violas provide a bright pop of color after a long winter. If you want to grow these charmers from seed, timing is everything. Here’s a guide on when and how to plant viola seeds for a gorgeous spring display.
An Overview of Violas
Violas belong to the genus Viola, a large group of over 500 species within the violet family They encompass a diverse range of flowering plants including wildflowers, annuals, biennials, and perennials. The adorable violas we grow in our gardens are smaller relatives of the pansy Though similar, violas produce smaller blooms on more compact plants compared to their larger pansy cousins.
Common viola varieties include
- Johnny Jump Ups: Heirloom violas with purple, yellow, and white blooms.
- Sorbet XP: A mix with bold, spotted blooms in bright colors.
- Viola tricolor: Wild pansy with purple, yellow, and white blooms.
- Viola cornuta: Tufted pansies and violas with wide color range.
Violas grow best in cool weather and make excellent spring blooms. With their long flowering season and compact growth habit they work beautifully in beds, pots and rock gardens. Many gardeners grow violas from seed for a more economical way to fill their gardens with masses of cheery color.
When to Plant Viola Seeds
Violas thrive when planted in early spring after the threat of hard frost has passed. Their seeds require exposure to cool, moist conditions to germinate properly. Here are two methods for sowing viola seeds at the right time for your climate:
Starting Indoors
For an early spring bloom, start viola seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before your last expected frost date. Sow seeds in sterile seed starting mix in cell packs or trays. Cover lightly with 1⁄4-1⁄8 inch of soil as violas need darkness to germinate.
Keep the soil moist and use a heat mat to maintain 65-70°F soil temperature. Once sprouted, move to full light and grow on at 60-65°F until ready to transplant outside after your frost date passes. Harden off the seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting.
Direct Sowing
In early spring, you can sow viola seeds directly in the garden 2-4 weeks before your last frost date. Prepare a weed-free, well-drained bed with amended soil. Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep and water gently. Cover with plastic sheeting or cloches to help retain moisture as the seeds germinate. Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart.
For fall blooms, direct sow 8-10 weeks before your first expected fall frost. This allows seeds to undergo natural winter stratification for germinating the following spring.
Caring for Violas
Violas thrive in enriched, well-drained soil and need at least 4 hours of sun per day. Keep soil consistently moist, especially when plants are young and becoming established. Add a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture.
Pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushy, compact plants. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to promote more flowering. In hot climates, afternoon shade is beneficial in summer to keep plants blooming when temperatures climb.
Most violas grown as annuals or biennials will fade out in peak summer heat. However, some varieties are perennial in zones 3-9 and will return the following spring. Cut back leggy growth after blooming to condition plants for the next year.
Extending the Bloom Season
Violas flower prolifically during spring and fall when temperatures are cool and comfortable for them. You can continue enjoying their cheery blooms into summer by:
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Planting in part shade locations protected from hot afternoon sun.
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Keeping soil consistently moist by watering frequently and mulching.
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Pruning back leggy growth mid-season to force new compact growth.
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Deadheading spent blooms to promote continuous flowering.
With proper care, you can keep violas flowering for months past their typical spring bloom season. Just provide a little protection from intense summer heat.
Bringing Violas into Your Garden
The sweet little faces of violas are a delightful addition to spring flower beds, pots, window boxes, and rock gardens. Their long bloom season, vivid colors, and compact growth habit make them ideal for mass plantings and edgings. By starting viola seeds at the right time for your climate, you can fill your garden with cheerful color when you need it most after a long winter.
How to Plant Viola
- Sow indoors 8 – 12 weeks before last expected heavy spring frost
- Sow seeds thinly and evenly in seed starting mix. Cover completely as seeds need darkness to germinate; firm lightly and keep evenly moist.
- As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
- Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.
- Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the heavy frost.
- Before planting in the garden, seedlings need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
- Select a location outside in full sun to part shade with well drained soil.
- Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.
- The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.
- Plant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce transplant shock.
- Dig a hole for each plant, approximately 12-14 inches apart large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.
- Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth.
- Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.
- Water well
- Direct sow violas in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil in fall in the South.
- Prepare the soil by removing weeds and working organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil; then level and smooth.
- Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.
- Sow thinly and evenly and cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil.
- Firm lightly and keep evenly moist.
- Seedlings emerge in 10-21 days depending on the soil and weather conditions.
- Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
- Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
- Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. Its best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.
- After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rot.
- Remove spent flower heads to keep plants flowering.
- Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.
- Fall planted plants will bloom until there is a hard frost. They will reappear in spring and may die back in the heat of the following summer.
- Violas can be cut back in midsummer as they get scraggly, which encourages new growth and re-blooming when cool temperatures return in the fall.
Quick Facts About Viola
Violas are the stars for cool weather bedding flowers, and theyre perfect for containers as well. They come in many different colors and patterns with cheerful upturned faces. They do not perform well during the heat of summer, but spring and fall, and even in mild winters, they shine.
Sow Viola seeds indoors 8 – 12 weeks before the last heavy frost using seed staring kit. Violas can take a light frost. If starting directly in the flower garden plant in a prepared seed bed after danger of frost.
Select a location in full sun or light shade in soil that drains well. The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.
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FAQ
What month do you plant violas?
| Plant name | Zone | Plant seedlings/transplants outdoors (spring/fall) |
|---|---|---|
| Viola | 4b | April 15-May 1 |
| Viola | 5a | March 15-April 1 |
| Viola | 5b | March 15-April 1 |
| Viola | 6a | March 15-April 1 |
Should I soak viola seeds before planting?
Before sowing Viola seeds, it’s often recommended to perform some preparation steps to help break seed dormancy. Methods include scarification (lightly scratching the seed coat), stratification (subjecting the seeds to cold temperatures), or soaking the seeds in water for a period.
How long does it take for viola seeds to sprout?
Sow thinly and evenly and cover with 1/4 inch of fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 10-21 days depending on the soil and weather conditions.
How do you grow viola seeds?
Viola seed is very fine and needs to be sown on the surface of fine damp compost. Cover with a thin layer of sieved compost or vermiculite. When the seedlings germinate and have two true leaves prick them out into modules or small pots and grow in cool light conditions until large enough to plant out.
How do you plant a viola plant?
Soil type: Violas have a broad tolerance and can be planted in most soil types. Aspect & position: Plant your violas at the front of the border or in containers. Sow viola seed undercover in the spring in March and April or in the autumn in September and October. Plant out seedlings in the spring.
When should violas be planted?
Aspect & position: Plant your violas at the front of the border or in containers. Sow viola seed undercover in the spring in March and April or in the autumn in September and October. Plant out seedlings in the spring. If growing winter-flowering varieties, these can be planted out in the winter months.
Do violas grow well in winter?
They do not perform well during the heat of summer, but spring and fall, and even in mild winters, they shine. Sow Viola seeds indoors 8 – 12 weeks before the last heavy frost using seed staring kit. Viola’s can take a light frost. If starting directly in the flower garden plant in a prepared seed bed after danger of frost.
When should I start my Viola seeds?
As a general guideline, you want to start your seeds roughly 3 months before the date you want them to be blooming. Let’s give an example: you have a packet of Bunny Ears viola seeds. You want them to be blooming in mid-April, because you’re giving them away as gifts for Easter.
Can viola seeds be planted in winter?
Winter sowing is a great way to stratify viola seeds, while also allowing them to be exposed to light and moisture as needed. The seeds will germinate at just the right time for the growing zone that they are planted in. Viola seedlings grown using this method are naturally hardened off.