Viola is an annual grown for its blooms, which open from spring through fall. Notably, it shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5.4-6.5
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
70
Score Viola on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether viola actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score viola against your land's real conditions.
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What Viola is
Viola grows as an annual and reaches around 9 inches at maturity. It blooms from spring through fall. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Viola
Viola does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.4 to 6.5, on well-drained ground. It needs around 600 growing degree days to mature, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.4 - 6.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
70 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
600+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
0.75 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant viola in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Viola prefers pH 5.4 to 6.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut viola blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — viola isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Viola offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Viola thrives
Whether viola thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Viola will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether viola actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Viola in my zone?
Zone data for viola is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Viola?
Most growers plant viola after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Viola need?
Viola does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Viola need?
Viola prefers soil pH 5.4 to 6.5, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Viola attract pollinators?
Yes — viola's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Viola safe for pets?
Viola is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.