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Flower profile

Violet

Quick facts

Botanical name: Viola odorata. In SAF's language of flowers, violet means faithfulness.

Violet at a glance

Meaning
faithfulness
Colors
  • Violet
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • White
  • Rose
Season
Spring.
Special care
Buy or pick fully open, almost open flowers. Keep short bunches in shallow cool water; mist - violets drink through their petals.
Size
A low, spreading perennial 4 to 6 inches tall with heart-shaped leaves and tiny fragrant flowers about half an inch across, classically deep violet-blue
Also called
Sweet violet, English violet, Florist's violet, Parma violet

About violets

A low, spreading perennial 4 to 6 inches tall with heart-shaped leaves and tiny fragrant flowers about half an inch across, classically deep violet-blue. Sold mainly as a spring plant; small bunches were once a florist tradition. Not the same plant as the African violet houseplant.

How to make violets last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For violets. Buy or pick fully open, almost open flowers. Keep short bunches in shallow cool water; mist - violets drink through their petals.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Violets as a potted plant

Garden/pot: part shade, moist well-drained soil; spreads by runners.

Questions about violets

What does the violet mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the violet stands for "faithfulness".

What colors do violets come in?

Violets come in violet, blue, purple, white and rose.

How do you care for violets?

Keep violets cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For violets: Buy or pick fully open, almost open flowers. Keep short bunches in shallow cool water; mist - violets drink through their petals.

Where can I buy violets?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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