Viola Growing Guide
Viola
![Viola]()
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Any good garden soil with average or better drainage.
Position
Full sun to partial shade in warmer areas.
Frost tolerant
Good. Young plants set out in autumn survive winter cold in many areas.
Feeding
Encourage fast growth by mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting. Drench plants with a liquid fertiliser every three weeks to support prolonged blooming.
Companions
Combine petite violas with other hardy annuals such as cineraria or dianthus. Violas also combine well with chrysanthemums, marigolds and other popular autumn flowers.
Spacing
Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
When starting viola seeds indoors in late winter, barely cover the seeds with moist seed starting mix. Grow the seedlings under bright lights until they are large enough to transplant outdoors. Most gardeners save time by buying violas as bedding plants.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Violas come in an endless variety of colour combinations, many of which have markings called "faces". Violas are heavy bloomers that often reseed.
Harvesting
Despite their small size, violas make nice blossoms to cluster together in a vase.
Troubleshooting
Hot summer weather often leads to the demise of spring-planted violas.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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