Water violet Hottonia palustris
Water violet (Hottonia palustris) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Primulaceae family, native to Europe to western Siberia. It grows 10–40 cm (4–16 in) tall and 40–80 cm (16–31 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
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Water violet at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Mature height | 10–40 cm (4–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe to western Siberia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Water violet toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Water violet
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Water violet
- How far apart should I plant Water violet?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–80 cm (16–31 in).
- Does Water violet need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Water violet need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Water violet?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Water violet flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Water violet poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Water violet?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Water violet. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- A pond plant: keep it in water all year and plant it in a basket of heavy loam, never rich compost.
- Not a violet but a primrose relative: feathery underwater leaves oxygenate clear, still water, and in late spring whorls of lilac flowers rise on stems above the surface. Needs clean water and dislikes lime.
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
- Primrose Primula vulgaris
- Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium
- Creeping Jenny Lysimachia nummularia
- Auricula Primula auricula
- Cowslip Primula veris
- Giant Himalayan cowslip Primula florindae
- Florist’s cyclamen Cyclamen persicum
- Coral ardisia (manryō) Ardisia crenata