Photo: Inao VasquezCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Red violet Plant Care
Viola rubella Cav.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Viola rubella, also known as Redwood Violet, is a charming plant with heart-shaped leaves that have a distinct reddish hue, making it stand out in any garden. Originating from North America, this plant is popular among plant enthusiasts for its unique foliage and delicate purple flowers.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Red violet?
Water Red violet every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Red violet Native To?
What Is the Red violet?
Red violet (Viola rubella) belongs to the Violaceae family within the Viola genus. Red violet is native to southern Chile, distributed between the Biobío and Los Lagos regions. Red violet is also known as Small-flowered crimson violet.
Red violet displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Red violet produces small, delicate flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red violet?
Viola rubella requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Red violet Need?
Red violet thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red violet Prefer?
Viola rubella grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Red violet prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Red violet?
Well-draining, fertile soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Red violet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red violet?
Feed Red violet every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Red violet?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. 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 Red violet?
Red violet can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hooked violet plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Red violet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Red 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 Red violet?
Red 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 Red violet Need?
Red violet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Red violet is native to southern Chile, distributed between the Biobío and Los Lagos regions.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Red 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 Viola genus — compare its care with other Viola species on PlantoScan.
Viola is part of the Violaceae plant family — browse all Violaceae genera and species.
Red violet thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Viola Species
Other Viola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Viola rubella Cav., family Violaceae (first published in Icon. 6: 20 (1800)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Red 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: Inao Vasquez, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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