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Marsh blue violet

Viola cucullata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata) is a perennial forb native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 25 more states. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw native bees and small flies.

Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata)
Photo: (c) Mason Heberling, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

4"–8" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, CT, DC, DE and 25 more states

Pollinators

native bees, small flies

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

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern ForestsNorthern 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 ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyEastern Temperate ForestsCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

A low, clumping perennial with heart-shaped leaves and blue-violet flowers with a paler throat, held above the foliage on wiry stems. Grows in constantly moist ground and forms neat, tight clumps.

Growing Marsh blue violet

Grow Marsh blue violet in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 4 to 8 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for great spangled fritillary, variegated fritillary.

Its foliage is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and variegated fritillary butterflies, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on violets.

Common questions

How much sun does Marsh blue violet need?
Marsh blue violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Marsh blue violet bloom?
Marsh blue violet blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Marsh blue violet native?
Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata) is native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Marsh blue violet host?
Marsh blue 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.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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