Skip to main content

Leconte'S Violet

Viola affinis

Last reviewed: August 2026

Leconte'S Violet (Viola affinis)
Photo: Joshua Mayer (wackybadger) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 4"–8" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AR, CT, DE, FL and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

South Central PlainsPiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Viola affinis is a low-growing native violet that forms small clumps of heart-shaped leaves. It produces delicate purple flowers in spring and early summer, creating a charming woodland groundcover effect.

In an HOA neighborhood

Leconte'S Violet is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

  • May go dormant in late summer heat

Wildlife value

Host plant for great spangled fritillary, variegated fritillary.

The flowers attract native bees and provide nectar for butterflies during the spring blooming period.

Common questions

How much sun does Leconte'S Violet need?
Leconte'S Violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Leconte'S Violet bloom?
Leconte'S Violet blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Leconte'S Violet native?
Leconte'S Violet (Viola affinis) is native to AR, CT, DE, FL and 22 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Leconte'S Violet host?
Leconte'S Violet is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and variegated fritillary.
Is Leconte'S Violet HOA-friendly?
Leconte'S Violet is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Leconte'S Violet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz