How to Grow Sweet Violet 'Queen Alexandra'

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Sweet Violet 'Queen Alexandra'

Viola odorata 'Queen Alexandra'

flower

Viola odorata 'Queen Alexandra' is a classic fragrant violet cultivar prized for its deep purple flowers and intoxicating sweet scent. This low-growing perennial produces heart-shaped leaves and delicate blooms that appear in late winter through spring. It's an excellent choice for borders, woodland gardens, and containers, offering both ornamental beauty and historic charm.

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Example Sweet Violet 'Queen Alexandra' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Sweet Violet 'Queen Alexandra'
Around Apr 17

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

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

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Partial shade to dappled sunlight; 3-4 hours of indirect light daily. Tolerates full shade but blooms more profusely with some light.

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when top inch of soil becomes dry. Increase watering during dry spells and hot weather. Reduce water in winter dormancy.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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Days to maturity: 60-90 days from transplant to first flowering; established plants bloom reliably each spring

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Planting depth: Crowns should be at soil level; seeds planted 1/8 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged leaf mold Peat moss Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, preferring cooler climates with moderate summers

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny seedlings with 2-4 true leaves and minimal root development

Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures (60-70°F). Provide bright indirect light. Avoid overwatering which causes damping off.

Vegetative Rosette

4-6 weeks

Low mound of heart-shaped leaves developing a dense clump with visible leaf runners

Keep soil consistently moist. Feed monthly with dilute balanced fertilizer. Ensure good air circulation. Remove any dead leaves to prevent fungal issues.

Flowering

6-10 weeks

Fragrant deep purple flowers emerging on short stems above the foliage, typically appearing in late winter to early spring

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Provide cool nighttime temperatures (below 65°F) for longer flower production. Increase blooms with light feeding of phosphorus-rich fertilizer.

Runner Development

4-8 weeks

After flowering, the plant produces runners (stolons) that root and create new plantlets

Allow runners to establish if propagation is desired, or remove them to maintain the main clump. Keep soil moist for runner rooting.

Summer Rest & Dormancy

2-4 months depending on climate

Plant growth slows during heat; foliage remains but flowering ceases in hot climates

Reduce watering frequency but maintain moisture. Provide afternoon shade in hot zones. Maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal disease.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Helleborus Pulmonaria Primrose Heuchera Epimedium Ajuga Creeping Phlox Coral Bells

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Cabbage family crops Rue

Common Pests

Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water or insecticidal soap. In severe cases, use miticide.
Improve air circulation; remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or baking soda spray. Avoid wetting foliage.
and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use copper tape around containers. Apply diatomaceous earth or beer traps.
Ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering. Remove affected plants and improve soil conditions.
Remove and destroy affected leaves. Improve air circulation and reduce humidity.

Uses

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Crystallized Flowers & Garnishes

Culinary

Sweet violet flowers are edible and prized for decorating desserts, cakes, and pastries. They can be candied with sugar or used fresh to garnish salads and beverages, offering both visual appeal and a delicate floral flavor. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Sweet violets have been used in traditional herbalism for centuries to support respiratory health and soothe coughs. A gentle infusion of the flowers is believed to have mild expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. [source]

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Perfume & Fragrance

Craft

The intensely sweet fragrance of 'Queen Alexandra' violets has been valued for perfumery and fragrance-making since medieval times. The flowers yield a precious essential oil used in high-end perfumes. [source]

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Fresh Flower Arrangements

Household

The delicate blooms and exquisite fragrance make sweet violets ideal for small posies, cut-flower arrangements, and indoor spring displays. Their low stature and modest stems work beautifully in bud vases and miniature bouquets. [source]

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Butterfly & Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Sweet violets provide early-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators emerging from winter dormancy. The foliage also hosts fritillary butterfly caterpillars. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Flowers can be cut just after opening for arrangements or culinary use. Harvest in early morning after dew dries. Cut 3-4 inches of stem with flowers. For crystallized violets, pick fresh blooms and gently brush with egg white and superfine sugar. Flowers are at peak fragrance in cool, moist weather.

Fun Facts

🌱 'Queen Alexandra' is a historic cultivar selected for its exceptionally deep purple coloring and superior fragrance compared to wild sweet violets.
🌱 Sweet violets have been beloved for over 2,000 years—the ancient Greeks cultivated them, and they were Napoleon's favorite flower, becoming symbols of his return from exile.
🌱 Viola odorata is one of the few flowers whose fragrance fades temporarily if you smell it continuously; a compound in the bloom (ionone) temporarily disables your olfactory receptors, but the scent returns after a brief break.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Damping Off Deadhead Partial Shade Perennial pH Runner True Leaves

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