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The African Violet, Cape Primrose and the Common Violet are favorites of mine. Although the African Violet is from Africa it isn't actually a true violet. It is one of the most common house plants today. They bloom year round, with single or double flowers.
They produce pink, purple, blue, violet, rose or white flowers.
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"Use small pots! Voilets flower best when they are a little root bound"
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Planting & Aftercare:
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Season
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Special Features
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Best Conditions
| Perennial
| Easy care
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Filtered shade |
| Blooms until fall | naturalizes well | Acidic soil
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Tips for Growing Violets:
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- The Common Violet can be a nuisance in a lawn but it makes an excellent ground cover. It spreads very fast by dropping seeds and it produces pretty little flowers. Common Violets are very hardy and are easily started from seed.
- Violets prefer filtered shade, but in milder climates, with lots of water, they can survive in full sun.
- If you decide to try growing seedlings indoors, try to keep the temperature at about 70 degrees F. or the seeds may not sprout.
- Violets look great in a window box. Remove after they stop blooming in the summer and transplant them into the garden.
- Watch out for fungal infection. Leaf spot can affect Violets in cool moist climates. Look for dark brown areas on yellowing leaves. Remove and destroy the infected leaves.
- Divide and plant smaller violets everywhere in March or early April. You can plant them under berry bushes, shrubs, along shaded fences. They will flourish and increase all summer long.
- When buying starter plants in the springtime, make sure you buy plants that are "in bloom" so that you can see and enjoy the flowers.
Look for healthy green plants. Avoid Violets with brown or black marks on the leaves.
- Bird's-foot Violets are an extremely beautiful plant. They are a little more difficult to grow but will thrive if planted in well drained soil and partial shade.
February Gardens Photo Gallery
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"It's perfectly okay to be a late bloomer"
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Violet is the flower for the month of February
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