How much sun does Wavy-leaved violet need?

Wavy-leaved violet grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Wavy-leaved violet bloom?

Wavy-leaved violet blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Wavy-leaved violet native?

Wavy-leaved violet (Viola subsinuata) is native to CT, DC, DE, GA and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Wavy-leaved violet host?

Wavy-leaved violet is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary.

Wavy-leaved violet

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viola subsinuata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Wavy-leaved violet (Viola subsinuata) is a perennial forb native to CT, DC, DE, GA and 14 more states. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw small bees.

Toxicity unknown

Wavy-leaved violet (Viola subsinuata) 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"–8" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CT, DC, DE, GA and 14 more states

Pollinators

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

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Wavy-leaved violet.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau

A low, clump-forming perennial with deeply lobed, triangular leaves and violet-blue flowers held just above the foliage in early spring, spreading slowly to form a groundcover in woodland edges and lawns.

Growing Wavy-leaved violet

Grow Wavy-leaved violet in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 8 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for great spangled fritillary.

An essential larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and other fritillary butterflies, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on violets.

Common questions

How much sun does Wavy-leaved violet need?: Wavy-leaved violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Wavy-leaved violet bloom?: Wavy-leaved violet blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Wavy-leaved violet native?: Wavy-leaved violet (Viola subsinuata) is native to CT, DC, DE, GA and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Wavy-leaved violet host?: Wavy-leaved violet is a larval host plant for great spangled 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

Ready to grow Wavy-leaved 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 app Android app