Viola sororia aka Common Blue Violet
Taxonomy
Viola sororia, also known as the common blue violet, is a short-stemmed herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern North America. It can also be referred to as the common meadow violet, purple violet, woolly blue violet, hooded violet, or wood violet. This plant species is distributed in the eastern half of the United States, Canada, and a part of Eastern Mexico and prefers moist soil in rich, moist woods, and swamps. The cultivar 'Albiflora' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types and lighting conditions, including semi-shade or no shade. It is hermaphrodite and is pollinated by insects. The species blooms from March to June and may produce cleistogamous seed heads on short stems in late summer and early autumn. While it may be considered a weed by some due to its self-seeding nature, it is a relatively rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers soil that is well-draining, and if repotted each time it doubles in size, it should not require added fertilizers. The common blue violet belongs to the Viola genus and is native to Eastern and Central North America.
Common names
Common Blue Violet, Violet, Woolly Blue VioletHow to care for Common Blue Violet
Difficulty
With its straightforward care requirements, Common Blue Violet is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.
Water
Common Blue Violet should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Common Blue 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 Common Blue Violet 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.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Common Blue Violet plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
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 Common Blue Violet 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 Common Blue Violet 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 Common Blue Violet displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.
Region of origin
Common Blue Violet’s native range is Temperate Northern Hemisphere.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Viola Genus

Viola Violet
Viola cenisia Viola Columbine

Viola banksii Native Violet
Viola formosana Viola Formosana
Viola sacchalinensis Ainu Tachitsubo Sumire

Viola purpurea Pine Violet

Viola hirta Hairy Violet

Viola blanda Woodland White Violet

Viola biflora Alpine Yellow Violet
