How much sun does Walter's violet need?

Walter's violet grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Walter's violet bloom?

Walter's violet blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Walter's violet native?

Walter's violet (Viola walteri) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Walter's violet host?

Walter's violet is a larval host plant for variegated fritillary.

Walter's violet

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viola walteri

Last reviewed: October 2026

Walter's violet (Viola walteri) is a perennial forb native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Walter's violet (Viola walteri) 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

2"–4" H × 8"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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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

South Central Plains Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Low trailing groundcover with rounded, silver-mottled leaves and small violet-blue flowers. Spreads by creeping stolons across the forest floor in shaded, rocky woodlands.

Growing Walter's violet

Grow Walter's violet in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 2 to 4 inches tall and spread 8 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for variegated fritillary.

Larval host plant for fritillary butterflies; early flowers provide nectar and pollen for small bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Walter's violet need?: Walter's violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Walter's violet bloom?: Walter's violet blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Walter's violet native?: Walter's violet (Viola walteri) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Walter's violet host?: Walter's violet is a larval host plant for 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.

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