Viola striata aka Striped Violet

Taxonomy

Viola striata is a small, perennial herb that is native to eastern North America and known by several common names, including striped cream violet, creamy violet, pale violet, and cream violet. It prefers to grow in mesic forests, rich, moist woods, valleys, bottomlands, and streambanks in the Ozark region of Missouri. This plant features purple-striped white flowers with a purple-veined lower petal that blooms in the spring. Both the leaves and blossoms are edible, with the latter being used to make jelly. Striped Cream Violet is a rare houseplant that is easy to grow, but requires regular watering and direct light. It belongs to the Viola genus and thrives in well-draining soil. No additional fertilizers are needed if it is repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Striped Violet, Pale Violet, Cream Violet, Striped Cream Violet, Cream White Violet

How to care for Striped Violet

Difficulty

Striped Violet requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

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

Soil

Striped 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.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Striped Violet to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

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 Striped 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 Striped 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.

Growth-pattern

The Striped Violet is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.

Region of origin

Striped Violet’s native range is Temperate Northern Hemisphere.


More info:
Wikipedia