How to Grow and Care for Viola Seedlings: A Complete Guide

Growing viola seedlings can be a fun and rewarding activity. Viola species include annuals, perennials, and even subshrubs. Collectively, they are known as violas, although individual garden varieties are often called pansies (Viola x Vitrokiana). Violas (or pansies) are delicate, graceful flowers that add spring and fall interest.

You can grow violas from seed reasonably quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow violas from seed. Viola seeds need to be started immediately (8 to 10 weeks before the last frost) and need complete darkness to germinate.

In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about planting and caring for viola seedlings and how to grow them indoors and outdoors.

What are viola seedlings?

Viola seedlings are baby viola plants that begin to grow after planting their seeds. Violas are small, colorful flowers that are part of the violet family. These flowers grow best in cooler climates, making them perfect for spring and fall.

When to Plant Viola Seeds

For best results, planting viola seeds at the right time is essential. Viola planting season depends on where you live. Violas generally grow best in cooler temperatures, so spring and fall are the best seasons to plant them.

Indoors: You can start your viola seedlings indoors about 8 to 12 weeks before the last spring frost. This gives your plants a head start before you take them outside.

Outdoors: If you are planting seeds directly outside, the best time is early spring or late summer. These cooler months will give your viola seedlings the best chance to thrive.

How to Grow Violas from Seed Indoors

Growing viola indoors from seed is a great way to start your garden early. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to grow violas from seed indoors:

Prepare your pots

Start by filling small pots or seed trays with soil to start seeds. Make sure the containers have drainage holes so excess water can drain out.

Plant the seeds

Place viola seeds in the soil and press down gently. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil about 1/8 inch deep.

Water the soil

Water lightly after planting the seeds. As the seeds germinate, keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Provide sunlight

Place pots in a sunny window or use grow lights. Violas need 12 to 14 hours of sunlight per day to grow strong.

Wait for Seedlings to Grow

In about 10 to 14 days, you will start growing viola seedlings from the soil. Growing viola seedlings in indoor containers gives you more control over the environment. You can move them outside when they are big enough, and the weather outside is cold.

Plant violas in pots

Many gardeners prefer to plant violas in containers because they are small and easy to care for. You can place containers around your home, on your porch or windowsill. Here we tell you how you can plant viola seedlings in containers:

Choose the right pot: Choose one that is at least 15 to 20 cm wide and has drainage holes at the bottom. This will give your viola plant plenty of room to grow.

Fill them with good soil: Use well-draining soil made for flowers. Mix some compost into the soil to give your violas extra nutrients.

Transplant: If you have started growing your violas indoors, carefully transfer the viola seedlings to containers. Be careful about its roots. If planting seeds directly, follow the same steps as growing them indoors.

Water regularly: Water violaceous whenever the topsoil is dry. But be careful not to overwater because violas don’t like wet soil.

Provide adequate sunlight: Place your pots where they will receive at least 6 hours daily.

How to care for viola seedlings

Caring for viola seedlings is easy once you know what they need. Follow these simple tips to keep your plants healthy:

Watering: Keep the soil slightly moist but not too wet. Water your viola once a week or when the topsoil is dry.

Sunlight: Violas need lots of sun to grow. Make sure your plants get at least 6 hours of light each day.

How to Sow Viola Seeds

Viola seeds germinate best when not exposed to light. Sow the seeds at the recommended depth and cover them with enough soil to exclude light. Alternatively, you can place a board or black plastic over the seeds while they germinate, removing them as soon as possible after germination.

• Viola seeds grow best when grown in trays or other containers and transplanted into the garden once established.

• Fill trays, baskets, or jiffy pots with a good quality seed starting mix, or use soil scoops to start the crop.

• Sow the seeds 6mm deep

• Keep the soil moist but never soggy or dry.

• At soil temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees Celsius, seeds should germinate in about 4 to 7 days.

• Once they have their first true leaves, transplant the seedlings into a garden that is large enough to handle (usually 2 to 4 inches tall).

• Plant them outside the plants, keeping a distance of 15 to 30 cm.

Types of Viola

Technically, there is no difference between violas and pansies. However, many other viola species within the genus have various common names. These include:

Viola x Vitrokiana

Also known as the well-known garden violet, this hybrid is a short-lived perennial or large-flowered biennial. However, it is usually grown annually in colder climates. Plants are about 20 cm tall and bear 5-7.5 cm flowers that may be solidly colored or patterned.

Tricolor viola

Commonly known as Johnny-jump-up, this little plant is one of the genetic parents of pansies. Some hybrid pansies will johnny-jump-up back as fallen seeds germinate as volunteer seedlings.

Viola sororia

Widely known as wild blue-violet, it is native to woodlands and often grows in cultivated gardens and lawns.

Viola cornuta

Also known as the plumed or horned violet, it resembles a pansy with a smaller flower. These spreading perennials have one-and-a-half-inch two-tone flowers atop rosettes of leaves 6 to 10 inches tall.

Why Are My Viola Seedlings Leggy?

Viola seedlings sometimes become “spindly,” meaning they are long and spiky rather than short and spindly. Lanky viola seedlings are usually caused by not getting enough light. Here are some tips to solve the problem:

More light: Move the seedlings to a sunny spot or place them under grow lights for more hours each day.

Pinch back: Gently cut back the tips of seedlings to encourage them to branch out and become bushy.

Cold temperature: Try to keep the seedlings in a cool place. High temperatures can also cause them to go wrong.

When to plant viola seeds outdoors

Knowing when to plant seeds is essential for growing violas outdoors. The best time to plant seeds outside is in the cooler months, either early spring or late summer.

Spring Planting: You can plant seeds when the ground is frozen. This will give your viola seedlings time to grow in mild spring weather.

Fruit Planting: Seeds planted in late summer or early fall work well in regions with mild winters. Cooler weather helps plants grow and prepare to bloom next spring.

Growing and caring for viola seedlings

Viola seedlings is a rewarding and easy gardening activity. Growing viola seedlings adds a lot of value to your gardening experience. Here’s why violas are special:

Easy to grow

Violas are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Even if you are new to gardening, you can grow these flowers successfully.

colorful flowers

Violas come in many colors and patterns and add color to any garden or container.

Cold climate plants

Unlike many flowers, violas bloom best in cooler temperatures, making them perfect for spring and fall gardening.

Versatile planting

Whether you plant violas in pots, beds, or hanging baskets, they will thrive in various environments.

Common problems when growing violas

Violas are susceptible to pests, diseases, and other problems like all plants. Below is a list of the most common issues gardeners encounter when growing viola plants:

Aphids are small insects (2 to 4 mm long) that suck sap and gather on the underside of new shoots or leaves. They can cause the leaves to dry or discolor and emit honeydew, attracting ants and other insects. To control aphids, eliminate them by spraying with a garden hose, applying soap or alcohol spray, or encouraging predatory insects in your garden. Read more about aphids here.

Bacterial leaf spot is a disease that causes irregularly shaped brown spots all over the plant surface. The spots appear wet at first but dry over time and become scab-like. Leaves and flowers may drop prematurely. Water plants at ground level (not on the leaves), discard fallen leaves and fruit, and practice crop rotation.

Downy mildew is a fungal disease that causes yellow to gray-brown spots on leaves, especially on the underside. To ensure adequate aeration, water plants at the soil level (not on leaves), remove and destroy affected leaves, and do not crowd plants. If the problem persists, spray with a homemade milk spray or fungicide.

Gray mold (Botrytis sp.) is a fungal disease that causes mold on flowers and rots fruits. Spores are carried by wind and can survive in soil or green waste. The fungus is more prevalent in cold, wet weather. Prune affected flowers and fruit, water the plant on the ground (not the leaves), and spray with a suitable fungicide or homemade spray as needed.

Powdery mildew is caused by fungal spores that reproduce on plant leaves. First, when white spots appear on the leaves, the affected areas can quickly spread over the entire leaf surface. Although rarely fatal, powdery mildew can reduce yields. Water plants at the soil level (not on leaves) to prevent seed spread.

FAQ

Can I grow viola from seed indoors?

Yes! Growing violas from seed indoors is a great way to get your garden started early. Pots, soil, and a sunny location or growing light help the seeds germinate.

When should I plant viola seeds outside?

The best time to plant viola seeds outdoors is in early spring or late summer. Violas grow best in cool climates, so avoid planting them in hot summers.

How do I keep my viola seedlings from getting thorny?

If your viola seedlings are getting tall and thin, move them to a spot with more sunlight. Pinching the tips of seedlings can also help them grow bushier.

Can I plant viola seedlings in containers?

Yes! Planting violas in containers is a great way to add color to your home or garden. Just ensure the pots have drainage holes and the plants get enough sunlight.