Growli

Pruning guide

How to prune sweet violet

Best time
After flowering finishes in spring
How often
Annually after flowering, with runner removal as needed through the season
Technique
Cut back straggly foliage with scissors or shears to near ground level after flowering. Sever and remove unwanted runners at soil level. Deadhead faded blooms if self-seeding is not desired in your garden.

More sweet violet care

Pruning sweet violet — FAQ

When should I prune sweet violet?

After flowering finishes in spring. Cut back straggly foliage with scissors or shears to near ground level after flowering. Sever and remove unwanted runners at soil level. Deadhead faded blooms if self-seeding is not desired in your garden.

How often does sweet violet need pruning?

Annually after flowering, with runner removal as needed through the season. Sweet violet (Viola odorata) spreads by runners and self-seeding and needs periodic tidying. After flowering in late winter to spring, trim back untidy foliage and remove excess runners to control spread. This prevents the plant becoming invasive and keeps the clump neat. Deadhead if you want to limit self-seeding.

How do you prune sweet violet?

Cut back straggly foliage with scissors or shears to near ground level after flowering. Sever and remove unwanted runners at soil level. Deadhead faded blooms if self-seeding is not desired in your garden.