Bird-foot violet
Viola pedata
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–8" H × 6"–10" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DC and 30 more states
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA low, tidy rosette of deeply lobed, birdfoot-shaped leaves topped with distinctive flat-faced purple to bicolor flowers. It prefers dry, well-drained sandy or rocky soils and stays compact all season.
Wildlife value
Host plant for great spangled fritillary, variegated fritillary.
Violets are the required larval host for fritillary butterflies, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on this genus.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bird-foot violet need?
- Bird-foot violet grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bird-foot violet bloom?
- Bird-foot violet blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Bird-foot violet native?
- Bird-foot violet (Viola pedata) is native to AL, AR, CT, DC and 30 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Bird-foot violet host?
- Bird-foot violet is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and variegated fritillary.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Bird-foot violet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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