Image: AI generated
Water Violet Plant Care
Hottonia palustris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hottonia palustris, also water violet or featherfoil, is an aquatic plant in the family Primulaceae.
Every 2–3 days
Partial shade to full sun, depending on species
50–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Water Violet?
Water Water Violet every 2–3 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun, depending on species. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
What Is the Water Violet?
Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) belongs to the Primulaceae family within the Hottonia genus. Water Violet is also known as Featherfoil.
Water Violet displays an aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Water Violet produces delicate spikes of small, white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Water Violet?
Hottonia palustris requires watering every 2–3 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–3 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Water Violet Need?
Water Violet thrives in partial shade to full sun, depending on species.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun, depending on species
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Water Violet Prefer?
Hottonia palustris grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Water Violet prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Water Violet?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage to mimic its natural wetland habitat. Good drainage is essential for Water Violet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Water Violet?
Feed Water Violet every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Water Violet?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years to prevent overcrowding. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Water Violet?
Water Violet can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to featherfoil plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Water Violet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Water Violet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Water Violet?
Water Violet is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Water Violet Need?
Water Violet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Water Violet as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Water Violet is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hottonia genus — compare its care with other Hottonia species on PlantoScan.
Hottonia is part of the Primulaceae plant family — browse all Primulaceae genera and species.
Water Violet thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hottonia palustris L., family Primulaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 145 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Water Violet, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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