Viola cucullata aka Blue Marsh Violet

Taxonomy

Viola cucullata, commonly known as the hooded blue violet, marsh blue violet, or purple violet, is a low-growing perennial herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. It can be found from Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, and south to Georgia. This species has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It forms a basal cluster of bright green, heart-shaped leaves with an entire margin and long petioles, reaching up to 10 cm in width. In late spring, solitary blue-violet flowers, occasionally white, with five petals and short spurs, emerge above the leaves. The fruit is a capsule that splits into three sections, releasing numerous small seeds upon maturity. Hooded blue violets thrive in wet meadows, prairies, and fields. As a houseplant, this rare species known as the Hooded Blue Violet requires regular watering and thrives in long-lasting, direct light within one foot of a window. It prefers well-draining soil and does not typically require additional fertilizers if repotted when it doubles in size. Belonging to the Viola genus and native to North America, the Hooded Blue Violet is an easy-to-grow plant for enthusiasts.

Common names

Blue Marsh Violet, Marsh Blue Violet, Marsh Violet

How to care for Blue Marsh Violet

Difficulty

Blue Marsh Violet is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Blue Marsh Violet should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Blue Marsh Violet 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 Blue Marsh Violet prefers bright diffused 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

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Humidity

The Blue Marsh Violet does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.

Fertilizer

The Blue Marsh Violet should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Blue Marsh Violet’s native range is Temperate Northern Hemisphere.


More info:
Wikipedia