Growing and Sowing Horned Violet

The horned violet (Viola cornuta) is a strong, hardy perennial known for its profuse and long-lasting bloom. It is the perfect choice for brightening up borders, pots, and rock gardens from early spring until deep into autumn. Although the flowers resemble the classic pansy, they are slightly smaller and more refined. They feature a distinctively long 'spur' (the 'horn') at the back. Furthermore, the flowers are edible, making them highly suitable for cooking and garnishing.

Sowing and growing of horned violet

The horned violet owes its name to a unique botanical feature at the back of the flower: a long, narrow protrusion that resembles a horn. Naturally, this hardy plant can be found on the high mountain slopes of the Pyrenees, making it exceptionally winter-hardy in the garden and long-lasting for years. The horned violet reaches a height of about 15 to 20 centimetres, making it an ideal, low-maintenance ground cover.

How sowing horned violet?

Growing your own horned violets is very simple and can be done at two different times of the year. For an early spring bloom, the fine seeds are sown directly outdoors in summer (June to August). The plants will then grow steadily before winter arrives.

Sow indoors in early spring (January to March) for flowering in the same year. The plants can then be transplanted outdoors in May. Because violet seeds require light to germinate, they should be scattered on the surface and covered with only a thin layer of soil.

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Position and soil for Horned Violets

The horned violet thrives best in a sunny to lightly shaded position in moist, well-drained, and humus-rich soil. Although they love the sun, a cooler spot in (partial) shade ensures they cope better with the summer heat.

How to care for your horned violet plants?

Always keep the soil slightly moist by watering regularly, pouring onto the soil rather than the foliage. Give horned violets in pots liquid plant food every two weeks during the flowering period, and mix some organic fertiliser or compost into the open ground in spring. Remove faded flowers weekly, including the stem, to stimulate bud formation, and feel free to cut the plants back hard in July if they become leggy, so they will bloom freshly and abundantly again in autumn.

Are horned violets bee and/or butterfly friendly?

Horned violets are an important food source in the garden because they bloom early in spring and late into autumn, when there is little other food available for insects. The flowers mainly attract bees, bumblebees, and hoverflies looking for nectar and pollen.

Horned violets in the vegetable garden?

The horned violet is a useful and edible flower for the vegetable garden. Thanks to its early and long flowering season, it attracts many bees and bumblebees, which benefits the pollination of early crops such as strawberries and broad beans. Additionally, the plant acts as a living ground cover between larger crops, helping to prevent drying out and weed growth.

Are horned violets edible and/or medicinal?

Horned violets are both completely edible and mildly medicinal. However, please ensure they have been grown without pesticides. The colourful flowers have a mild, slightly sweet flavour, making them ideal for use fresh as an edible decoration on salads, cakes, and desserts. The plant contains natural mucilage, which provides a soothing and expectorant effect for a mild cough, and offers a mild anti-inflammatory effect for minor skin irritations.

Please note, we at Dutch Garden Seeds do not give medical advice. Always ask a professional if and how the plant can be used medicinally.

Horned violets seeds in our collection

Our collection includes 'Buzzy Seeds' horned violet seeds.

Tips for sowing horned violets

Remove faded flowers for an extended blooming period.