Also known as Violet / Pansy · 1.9k gardener saves
Viola: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Viola, the genus most gardeners know as violet / pansy. We track 30 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Viola varieties
Of 30 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCommon Blue Violet
Viola sororia
#2 most savedBird's Foot Violet
Viola pedata
#3 most savedPansy
Viola wittrockiana 'Painted Porcelain'
Northern Lights Horned Violet
Viola cornuta 'Northern Lights'
Rebecca Horned Violet
Viola cornuta 'Rebecca'
Etain Violet
Viola viola 'Etain'
Whopping Purple Whiskers Pansy
Viola tricolor 'Whopping Purple Whiskers'
Horned Violet
Viola cornuta 'Halo Sky Blue'
Birdfoot Violet
Viola pedata 'Eco Artist Palette'
Heartthrob Korean Violet
Viola x koreana 'Heartthrob'
Molly Sanderson Violet
Viola viola 'Molly Sanderson'
White Horned Violet
Viola cornuta 'Alba Minor'
Browse all 30 Viola varieties →
How to grow Viola
What the Viola varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 30 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Viola year
- DeadheadMarch, April, May and September67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to keep the patch tidy after the main bloom flush
- PlantFebruary, March, August, September and October63% of varieties
Plant new starts or transplant divisions in early spring or early fall
- FertilizeMarch and April60% of varieties
Apply a light, balanced fertilizer as new growth begins in spring
- DivideAugust and September53% of varieties
Divide overcrowded clumps every few years to maintain vigor
- Spring CleanupFebruary53% of varieties
Remove any tattered or winter-damaged foliage before new growth starts
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
- Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Viola
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves, slime trails | Use organic slug bait or handpick at night |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Use miticides or rinse with water |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and brown roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply neem oil |
Making more Viola
Division
- Dig up mature clumps in early spring.
- Gently separate into smaller sections.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after dividing.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination, which takes 2-3 weeks.
Viola questions
How many types of Viola are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 30 distinct Viola varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.9k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Viola grow in?
Across its varieties, Viola covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Viola bloom?
Most Viola varieties bloom in early spring, late spring, spring, fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Viola should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Viola
By hardiness zone
Design with Viola in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
