How to grow Native Violet in Australia
A low spreading groundcover for part shade to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently damp, as it wilts quickly when dry, and it will carpet a shady spot over time.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Shade tolerant
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- Time to harvest: 90 days
- Time to germinate: 21 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to October | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to October | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to October | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to October | |
| Adelaide & SA | March to October | |
| Perth & WA | March to October | |
| Tasmania | March and April, September to November | Hardy groundcover. Plant Sep to Nov or Mar to Apr. Handles Tasmanian frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | March and April, September to November | Plant Sep to Nov or Mar to Apr in moist shade. Grows wild around the ACT; frost burns the leaves but it regrows. |
| North Queensland | May to October | Plant May to Oct in the dry, in deep shade with steady water. It struggles through the hottest wet months. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to October | Plant May to Oct in the dry, in deep shade with steady water. It struggles through the hottest wet months. |
Varieties
- Native Violet
Companion planting
Good companions
- Native plants
- Ferns
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick the flowers and young leaves once the plant is flowering well. Pinch blooms off by hand, and the low mat keeps producing more across the season.
Storage
Use flowers fresh within 1 to 2 days. Plants produce year-round.