How to Grow Sweet Violet 'La Czarine'

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Sweet Violet 'La Czarine'

Viola odorata 'La Czarine'

flower

'La Czarine' is a classic cultivar of sweet violet prized for its deep purple-blue flowers and exceptional fragrance. This low-growing perennial produces charming, delicate blooms on short stems and spreads via runners, making it ideal for ground cover or container growing. The plant has been cultivated since the Victorian era and remains a favorite for cutting gardens and fragrance applications.

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Example Sweet Violet 'La Czarine' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sweet Violet 'La Czarine'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Sweet Violet 'La Czarine' blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Violet 'La Czarine' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to dappled sunlight; prefers 3-4 hours of indirect sun daily; tolerates shade well

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water at soil level to avoid leaf diseases; reduce watering in winter dormancy

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Spacing: 8-12 inches apart; allow room for runners to spread inches

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Days to maturity: Flowers appear within 60-90 days from transplanting; established plants bloom in spring and fall

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Planting depth: Crown should sit at soil surface; do not bury the crown; seeds require 3-4 weeks cold stratification and should be surface-sown

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Peat moss or coconut coir Leaf mold Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; prefers cooler climates and may struggle in hot, humid southern regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Seedling

4-6 weeks

Tiny heart-shaped leaves emerge with a cottony appearance; very delicate and slow-growing initially

Keep soil lightly moist and cool; provide bright indirect light; be patient as germination is slow and sporadic; maintain high humidity

Vegetative Growth

4-8 weeks

Young rosette with multiple deeply-veined, cordate leaves on short petioles; runners (stolons) begin to develop

Ensure consistent moisture and organic matter; provide cool conditions; thin crowded seedlings to prevent fungal issues; fertilize lightly with balanced fertilizer monthly

Budding & Flowering

3-4 weeks of active flowering

Flower buds appear on short stems (4-6 inches) rising from leaf axils; deep purple-blue flowers with delicate petals and prominent yellow stamens

Ensure adequate moisture; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; stop fertilizing to promote flowering over leaf growth; maintain cool temperatures (55-65°F ideal)

Seed Production & Rest

4-8 weeks, followed by dormancy

After above-ground flowering ends, cleistogamous (self-pollinating, non-visible) flowers develop at soil level producing viable seed; foliage may decline in summer heat

Reduce watering slightly if plant enters dormancy; mulch lightly to keep roots cool; remove any diseased foliage; allow some flowers to set seed for propagation

Dormancy & Autumn Re-emergence

Variable; 2-4 months in extreme heat, minimal in cool climates

Foliage may partially die back in hot summers; plant revives as temperatures cool in fall; runners have established new plantlets with roots

Cut back dead foliage; reduce fertilizer; maintain moderate moisture; divide runners and peg them down to propagate new plants; prepare for spring flowering

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hellebores Pulmonaria Epimedium Lamium Ajuga Bleeding heart Primrose Cyclamen coum

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring dry, sunny conditions Mediterranean herbs in poorly-draining soil Aggressive spreaders that may compete for space

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or strong water spray; introduce natural predators like ladybugs; neem oil for persistent infestations
Increase humidity and misting; use insecticidal soap; neem oil; ensure good air circulation
and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening; use copper tape barriers; diatomaceous earth around plants; beer traps
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; fungicidal spray in severe cases; sulfur dust may help
Remove affected leaves; improve drainage and air circulation; water at soil level only; fungicide as needed; avoid wetting foliage

Uses

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Candied flowers & edible garnish

Culinary

Sweet violet flowers are traditionally candied with egg white and sugar for cake decoration and are completely edible with a delicate flavor. [source]

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Infusions & syrups

Culinary

Violet flowers can be steeped to create fragrant teas, syrups for beverages and desserts, and gentle infusions with mild flavor notes. [source]

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Traditional respiratory support

Medicinal

Viola odorata has been used in traditional herbalism for respiratory health, with research suggesting mucilage and flavonoid compounds may provide soothing properties. [source]

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Perfumery & fragrance

Household

'La Czarine' is prized for its intense, sweet fragrance and is used in fine perfumes, potpourri, and fresh cut flower arrangements. [source]

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Victorian tussie-mussies & floral design

Craft

Sweet violets are classic components of tussie-mussies (small Victorian flower bouquets) and are favored for their delicate form and historic significance. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when dew has dried but stems are still turgid; use clean, sharp scissors; cut just above a leaf node to encourage bushier growth; flowers last 5-7 days in a vase in cool conditions; pick regularly to extend blooming season; for dried arrangements, harvest at peak bloom and hang-dry in cool, dark location

Fun Facts

🌱 'La Czarine' was selected and named for its exceptionally deep purple coloring and is believed to be one of the most fragrant commercial violet cultivars, valued by perfumers for its high concentration of violet ketones and ionones.
🌱 Sweet violets were so popular in Victorian England that they became the third most traded flower after roses and carnations; Napoleon's love of Violetta earned the flower the nickname 'Corporal Violet' during his exile.
🌱 Viola odorata produces two types of flowers: showy above-ground flowers in spring and inconspicuous, self-pollinating cleistogamous flowers near the soil surface that actually produce most of the viable seeds, ensuring prolific reproduction.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Germination Mulch Partial Shade Perennial Runner

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