Viola cornuta aka Bedding Pansy

Taxonomy

Viola cornuta, also known as horned pansy or horned violet, is a low-growing, clump-forming temperate evergreen perennial that belongs to the violet family Violaceae. It is native to the Pyrenees and the Cordillera Cantábrica of northern Spain and can be found at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres. This plant can reach a height and spread of up to 50 cm and has mid-green ovate leaves with rounded teeth. In early summer, it produces masses of delicate pale violet flowers that consist of five strap-shaped petals with a slender spur. The flower has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. However, this plant is also a known host of the pathogenic fungus Puccinia violae. Horned pansy is relatively rare, but it is an easy-to-grow houseplant that needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be placed less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Bedding Pansy, Horned Violet, Tufted Pansy

How to care for Bedding Pansy

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Bedding Pansy is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Bedding Pansy should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Bedding Pansy loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Bedding Pansy prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Bedding Pansy does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Bedding Pansy has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Bedding Pansy displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.

Region of origin

Bedding Pansy’s native range is Temperate Northern Hemisphere.


More info:
Wikipedia