Viola Growing Guide

Viola

Viola

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous 

Soil

Any good garden soil with average or better drainage.

Position

Full sun to partial shade in warmer areas.

Frost tolerant

Good. Young plants set out in autumn survive winter cold in many areas.

Feeding

Encourage fast growth by mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting. Drench plants with a liquid fertiliser every three weeks to support prolonged blooming.

Companions

Combine petite violas with other hardy annuals such as cineraria or dianthus. Violas also combine well with chrysanthemums, marigolds and other popular autumn flowers.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

When starting viola seeds indoors in late winter, barely cover the seeds with moist seed starting mix. Grow the seedlings under bright lights until they are large enough to transplant outdoors. Most gardeners save time by buying violas as bedding plants.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Violas come in an endless variety of colour combinations, many of which have markings called "faces". Violas are heavy bloomers that often reseed.

Harvesting

Despite their small size, violas make nice blossoms to cluster together in a vase.

Troubleshooting

Hot summer weather often leads to the demise of spring-planted violas.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Viola