Photo: Nina FilippovaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Arctic violet Plant Care
Viola uniflora L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's heart-shaped leaves with distinctive silver marbling make it a standout in any collection. Originating from the temperate forests of South America, Viola uniflora's unique foliage is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking appearance and rarity in cultivation.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–70°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Arctic violet?
Water Arctic violet every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–70°F (10–21°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Arctic violet Native To?
What Is the Arctic violet?
Arctic violet (Viola uniflora) belongs to the Violaceae family within the Viola genus. Arctic violet is native to Siberia, Primorsky Krai in the Russian Far East, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. Arctic violet is also known as alpine violet.
Arctic violet displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Arctic violet produces small, delicate flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arctic violet?
Viola uniflora requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Arctic violet Need?
Arctic violet thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arctic violet Prefer?
Viola uniflora grows best at temperatures of 50–70°F. Arctic violet prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–70°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arctic violet?
Well-draining, fertile soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Arctic violet to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arctic violet?
Feed Arctic violet every 2 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 2 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 Arctic 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 Arctic violet?
Arctic 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 Arctic violet Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arctic 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 Arctic violet?
Arctic 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 Arctic violet Need?
Arctic violet grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Arctic violet is native to Siberia, Primorsky Krai in the Russian Far East, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 7b
Keep exploring plants
Arctic 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.
Arctic 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 uniflora L., family Violaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 936 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arctic 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: Nina Filippova, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 7b, 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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