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Woodland-white violet

Viola blanda

Last reviewed: October 2026

Woodland-white violet (Viola blanda) is a perennial forb native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 19 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.

Woodland-white violet (Viola blanda)
Photo: (c) Daniel J. Layton, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Woodland-white violet (Viola blanda) 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

3"–6" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, CT, DC, DE and 19 more states

Pollinators

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.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

PiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyEastern Temperate ForestsCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Low, spreading perennial with heart-shaped leaves and small fragrant white flowers with purple-veined lower petals, forming a loose groundcover in moist, shaded forests in spring.

Growing Woodland-white violet

Grow Woodland-white violet in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 3 to 6 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for great spangled fritillary.

Foliage is a larval host plant for great spangled fritillary and other fritillary butterflies, and the fragrant flowers provide early-season nectar for bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Woodland-white violet need?
Woodland-white violet grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Woodland-white violet bloom?
Woodland-white violet blooms in April and May.
Where is Woodland-white violet native?
Woodland-white violet (Viola blanda) is native to AL, CT, DC, DE and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Woodland-white violet host?
Woodland-white 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

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