Stream Violet
Viola glabella
Last reviewed: September 2026
Viola glabella, or stream violet, is a low forb with small yellow flowers blooming April through June. It grows best in part shade with medium to consistently moist soil, often along streambanks and forest floors in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.
Toxicity unknown
Stream Violet (Viola glabella) 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
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
CA, ID, MT, OR and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Stream violet is a delicate woodland perennial that produces cheerful yellow flowers in spring and early summer. This low-growing native violet forms neat clumps with heart-shaped leaves and thrives in partially shaded, moist areas. It goes dormant in late summer, disappearing completely until the following spring.
Growing Stream Violet
Grow Stream Violet in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Stream Violet takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Disappears completely when dormant, leaving bare spots
- Very small and can look sparse in formal settings
- Requires consistent moisture which may be difficult to maintain
Wildlife value
The flowers attract small native bees and flies during the spring blooming period. Like other violets, it can serve as a host plant for fritillary butterfly caterpillars.
Common questions
- When does Viola glabella bloom?
- Stream violet typically blooms from April into June, producing small yellow flowers on low stems.
- What growing conditions suit stream violet best?
- It does well in part shade with medium moisture, and is often found on moist slopes, streambanks, and shaded forest floors.
- What insects visit Viola glabella flowers?
- Bees and flies are the main visitors, drawn to the small yellow blooms for pollen and nectar.
- Does stream violet stay green year round?
- No, it is deciduous and dies back after the growing season, regrowing from its base each spring.
- Is Stream Violet HOA-friendly?
- Stream Violet takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Stream Violet? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz