Last updated on September 20th, 2026 at 09:05 am
Planting violas (members of the Violaceae family) in the Desert Southwest can be a little challenging because of our intense summer heat. These colorful, cool-season flowers love plenty of sunshine during the fall, winter, and early spring, when temperatures are mild. However, once late spring and summer temperatures begin to climb, violas can struggle. If you want to keep them going longer, move container-grown violas to a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. Even with protection, many violas will eventually fade when the hottest part of summer arrives.
If you’re planting violas directly in garden beds, prepare the area before planting. Remove weeds, dead plant material, and other debris from around the planting area. This is especially important in our dry Southwest climate because weeds compete with violas for valuable water and nutrients. Keeping the bed weed-free also improves air circulation and makes it easier to check the soil and determine when your plants need water.
Violas are especially good choices for fall color in Las Cruces and throughout the Desert Southwest. Plant them as temperatures begin to cool, and they can provide months of color. They tolerate chilly weather surprisingly well and often continue blooming through much of the winter, especially when planted in a protected location. Regular deadheading and consistent watering will encourage additional blooms.
Plant them in containers or in the flowering garden. You should plant them in masses for a great-looking effect.  Use them in front of taller perennials or annuals during the spring and fall months. They will do well in hanging baskets and in tall pots.
Use them in spring and fall for great outdoor colors. Â They like loose loamy rich soil. To keep them looking their best you should fertilize them at least twice per month. Â A good 20-20-20 analysis will work great. There are a ton of colors and varieties to choose from. You can visit Wikipedia for a big list of Viola Varieties right here. Â Viola Varieties.Â
This is not a drought-tolerant plant. Â Water every other day during the spring and fall seasons, sometimes daily, if they start to look droopy during the mid-summer heat.
Deadheading Violas will help them rebloom repeatedly. The more you are deadheading the more flowers will spring out.
Most of Viola’s plants are annuals, however, if you live in an area where freezing temperatures are rare they will come back after the fall seasons. Be sure to trim them back and cover them with mulch. This will help them spring back up in springtime. The English Viola is a hardier plant and is considered a perennial; you can read more information here.
Planting Violas for Your Garden
Johnny Jump-ups are exceptional flowering plants. Â They will do well in hanging baskets or in containers with other annuals or perennials. Â They like rich loamy well-drained soil. Â Feed them 1-2 times per month for better results. Use a good 20-20-20 analysis.
The Coreopsis Flowering Plant.Â
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Paul Guzman is a lifelong Southwest gardener and gardening writer with decades of experience helping homeowners grow beautiful landscapes in the desert Southwest. He writes for Guzman’s Garden Centers in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with contributing expertise from Gary Guzman, owner of Guzman’s Garden Centers. If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
