🌸 Viola / Pansy
Viola × wittrockiana (Pansy); Viola tricolor (Johnny-jump-up)
flowers
herbaceous perennial (grown as annual/biennial)
Violaceae
☀️ Sun
Full sun to partial shade; prefer afternoon shade in warm climates
💧 Water
Medium; keep soil consistently moist but not soggy , mulch to keep roots cool
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (pansies); 3, 9 (violas)
🧪 Soil pH
5.5, 6.5 (slightly acidic)
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained loam with high organic matter; thrive in cool weather
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained; do not tolerate waterlogged winter soil , causes crown rot
📏 Spacing
6, 10 inches apart
📐 Height
4, 10 inches
⏱️ Maturity
60, 80 days from seed to bloom
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Flowers (raw in salads, candied for decoration, garnish)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (8)
🤝 Daffodil
Daffodils emerge early and finish as violas peak; violas cover unsightly daffodil foliage dying back.
Violas interplanted with lettuce provide edible flowers for salads; both prefer cool weather and consistent moisture.
🤝 Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale and violas make stunning fall/winter containers; both tolerate frost with intensified cool-weather color.
Parsley and violas share growing conditions; violas attract pollinators while parsley provides contrasting green backdrop.
Primroses and violas are classic cool-season companions; both thrive in similar moist, rich soil for early spring displays.
Snapdragons and violas prefer cool weather; different heights create layered spring and fall plantings.
Violas make excellent ground cover companions for strawberries; attract pollinators for better berry set.
Violas bloom alongside tulips and cover dying tulip foliage; share cool-season window without root competition.
⚠️ Keep Apart (2)
⚠️ Aggressive groundcover (Vinca/Ivy)
Spreading groundcovers overrun and smother violas; their delicate root systems cannot compete.
⚠️ Slug-friendly dense mulch
Thick bark mulch harbors slugs that devastate viola flowers and foliage.
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- Historically used as expectorant and anti-inflammatory for respiratory conditions
- Contains salicylic acid compounds (mild analgesic)
- Traditional use for eczema and skin conditions
📝 Growing Notes
Cool-season flowers for early spring and fall color. Deadheading extends bloom. Self-seeds readily. Edible flowers popular in haute cuisine.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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