Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Long-Spurred Violet bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Long-spurred violet, Long-spur violet (Viola rostrata).
More about long-spurred violet
About Long-Spurred Violet
Viola rostrata · also called Long-spurred violet, Long-spur violet · flowering
Viola rostrata is a distinctive native woodland violet of eastern North America, found in rich, moist, deciduous forests from southern Quebec and New England south along the Appalachians to North Carolina. It is readily identified by the exceptionally long nectar spur (up to 15 mm) that projects behind its pale lilac to lavender-purple flowers, blooming from mid-spring into early summer. It needs consistently moist, humus-rich soil in part to full shade and naturalises well under mature deciduous trees alongside ferns and spring ephemerals. The Viola genus is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Aphid infestations: Aphids occasionally cluster on flower stalks and young growth in spring; blast off with a strong jet of water or apply insecticidal soap, taking care not to disturb beneficial insects visiting the flowers.
The reasons long-spurred violet isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming long-spurred violet traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding long-spurred violet a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get long-spurred violet to flower
- Maximise sun. Give long-spurred violet the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for long-spurred violet and get the feeding right with the long-spurred violet fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Long-Spurred Violet flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full long-spurred violet care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Long-Spurred Violet blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my long-spurred violet flower?
Long-Spurred Violet blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make long-spurred violet bloom?
Give long-spurred violet the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does long-spurred violet normally bloom?
Long-Spurred Violet flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with long-spurred violet after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping long-spurred violet flowering?
Feeding long-spurred violet a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Long-Spurred Violet care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Long-Spurred Violet light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Long-Spurred Violet fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library