• The Canada violet (Viola canadensis) displays a delicate flower with faint purple veins streaking across its pale petals, accented by a splash of yellow at the throat. Its soft coloring stands out against the rich green leaves, creating a striking but gentle woodland bloom.
  • A single Canada violet (Viola canadensis) flower rises above its large, heart-shaped leaf, showcasing white petals touched with yellow and fine purple lines. A purplish bud waits to open, hinting at the subtle beauty of this native violet found in shaded forest understories.
  • Clusters of Canada violet (Viola canadensis) blossoms brighten the forest floor, their white flowers accented by purple lines and yellow centers. The broad, deep green leaves create a dense ground cover beneath the slender stems bearing these delicate blooms.
  • Patches of Canada violet (Viola canadensis) spread across the woodland ground, each plant dotted with dainty white flowers floating above glossy, heart-shaped leaves. The mix of shade and sunlight highlights their soft beauty and quiet presence in the forest.
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Wild About Flowers

Viola canadensis - Canada Violet

Viola canadensis - Canada Violet

$6.75 CAD
$6.75 CAD
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Canada Violet is a graceful woodland perennial with dainty white flowers, often tinged with purple on the backs of the petals, blooming from spring into early summer. On warm, still days, the blooms carry a light, sweet fragrance. Heart-shaped green leaves form a lush backdrop, while creeping rhizomes help it spread naturally through moist, shaded plantings and along woodland edges. An excellent early-to-mid-season nectar source for native bees, and small butterflies, it also serves as a larval host plant for several fritillary butterfly species, providing critical food for developing caterpillars.

Hardy and adaptable, Canada Violet is best suited for shaded wildflower gardens, woodland edges, naturalized forest plantings, and moist meadows. Its height and spreading nature make it an excellent understory plant in native gardens or shady areas where it can naturalize. Moderately deer resistant, young spring growth may be browsed, but established plants are persistent and recover well due to their spreading habit.

How Easy Is This Plant to Grow?

Germination Difficulty: Experienced
Growing Difficulty: Beginner
Speed of Growth: Fast
Age to First Bloom: 1-2

Plant Sizes & Blooming Window

Important Information - The "Plant Sizes" are provided as a general guideline for plant selection. The "Blooming Window" indicates the general period when the species is in bloom, not how long an individual plant will flower.

Plant growth and bloom times will vary depending on geographical location & individual site conditions. Please scroll down to see the specific information for this plant.

Edible & Medicinal Info Disclaimer

The Edible & Medicinal information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be acted on without thorough research and professional guidance. We are not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of or misidentification of plants.

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Plant Specifics

Seeds Per Pack

Seed packs are currently unavailable.

Light Conditions

  • Part Shade
  • Shade

Soil Conditions

  • Moist
  • Rich
  • Well Drained
  • Loam
  • Sandy
  • Clay

Height

  • Under 12"
  • 12" - 24"

Width

  • Spreading

Bloom Colour

  • White

Month of Bloom

  • May
  • June
  • July

Vigorousness

  • Fast
  • Aggressive

Deer Resistance

  • Moderate

Features

  • Butterflies
  • Bees
  • Fragrant
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Fall Color
  • Used as Groundcover
  • Urban Spaces
  • Rural Spaces
  • Medicinal Properties
  • Edible Parts
  • Toxic or Posionous Parts
  • Good in Containers

Chinook Exposure

  • Fully Exposed

Distribution Info

Native to North America, Canada Violet is found in YT and every province except NL, and extending south through much of the northern and central U.S.. It thrives in moist, open wooded areas, often in rich, mesic forests and along stream banks.

Traditional Edible & Medicinal Info

Traditionally, the roots of Viola canadensis have been used to make a tea for treating bladder pain and they have also been applied as a poultice to skin abrasions and boils. Additionally, young leaves, which are rich in vitamins A and C, and flower buds are edible, either raw or cooked, and can be used in salads or as a tea substitute.

⚠️ Toxicity Note: Avoid the roots, fruits and seeds which can cause gastrointestinal distress.