💜 Viola (edible): Growing Guide
Viola (edible) (Viola odorata) grows best in partial shade with moderate watering, and does well at −15 to 21 °C (5–70 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Space plants about 15 cm (5.9 in) apart. Expect 60–90 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Viola odorata |
|---|---|
| Category | Edible Flowers |
| Sunlight | Partial shade |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 15 cm (5.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −15 to 21 °C (5–70 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 60–90 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.3 cm (0.1 in) |
| Height | 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Continental | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | |||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Plant out | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Jan–Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov–Dec.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Aug · Plant out: Feb, Sep · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Sow: Jan, Jul · Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Aug · Plant out: Mar, Sep · Harvest: Apr–May, Oct.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Steady moisture.
Growing tips
Edible! Fragrant. Brightens winter beds. Princess and Sorbet.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Viola (edible): when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Jan–Feb, Sep · Plant out: Mar, Oct · Harvest: Apr–May, Nov–Dec. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Feb–Mar, Aug · Plant out: Apr, Sep · Harvest: May–Jun, Oct–Nov.
Viola (edible): how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Steady moisture.
Viola (edible): how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 15 cm (5.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.3 cm (0.1 in).
Viola (edible): how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 60–90 days.
Viola (edible): which plants grow well with it?
Lettuce, Strawberry.
Plan your garden
Add Viola (edible) to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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