Sweet violet Viola odorata
Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Violaceae family, native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -23 °C (-9 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan Sweet violet in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sweet violet at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Violaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -23 °C (-9 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowers, young leaves |
| Native to | Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Sweet violet toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: rhizomes, seeds
Rhizomes and seeds contain saponins and alkaloids that can cause nausea and vomiting if eaten in quantity; flowers and leaves are used in small amounts as food.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sweet violet
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Sweet violet in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (8 plants)
Questions about Sweet violet
- How far apart should I plant Sweet violet?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Sweet violet need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sweet violet need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sweet violet?
- It tolerates about -23 °C (-9 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Sweet violet flower?
- From about March for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sweet violet poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Rhizomes and seeds contain saponins and alkaloids that can cause nausea and vomiting if eaten in quantity; flowers and leaves are used in small amounts as food.
- What grows well with Sweet violet?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sweet violet. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Spreads by stolons and self-seeds; fragrant flowers open from late winter in mild climates.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Garden pansy Viola x wittrockiana
- Native violet (ivy-leaved violet) Viola hederacea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea