What Are Wild Violets and How Do I Control Them?

While wild violets may sound like delightful plants – and their deep purple blooms are pretty – they're actually an aggressive weed that will happily invade your lawn if left unchecked. Typically found in northern regions of the U.S., wild violets flower in the spring and prefer the damp, shady parts of your yard. What's more, these are perennial weeds, meaning they will come back to haunt you year after year. But don't despair. We've got wild violet control tips that can help you conquer this invader.

About Wild Violets

Most wild violets have dark purple flowers (though some are white) and waxy, green, heart-shaped leaves that taper to a point. They usually grow about 6 inches tall, though they can be a bit taller. In country settings, wild violets are often welcomed, as they attract butterflies and other pollinators. Where lawns are concerned, though, wild violets are a hardy nuisance that don't seem to mind drought conditions. What's more, they can reproduce even when they're not in bloom.

Get Wild Violets Under Control

Skip Hand-Pulling

Don't bother pulling wild violets by hand. While this may solve the problem in the short term, keep in mind that even the tiniest amount of root left behind will allow the plant to regrow and multiply, leading to more wild violets down the road.

Apply Roundup® For Lawns

Don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries to control wild violets. After all, they spread through underground stems (called rhizomes) as well as by seed, and their waxy leaves can be hard to penetrate. The best time to treat wild violets with Roundup® For Lawns is in the fall, when it will be fast-tracked into the root system as the plants prepare for winter. To kill the occasional pop-up plant, a ready-to-use product is a fine choice. If your wild violet problem is more widespread, though, you'll want to turn to a ready-to-spray or concentrate product.

Grow a Thick Lawn

While mowing may help temporarily slow wild violets' advance across your lawn, it generally isn't enough to wipe them out. The best defense, they say, is a good offense: Thicken up your lawn by feeding it regularly (4 times per year) so there won't be any room for wild violets to grow in the first place.

In Landscape & Flower Beds

Kill wild violets growing in your landscape and flower beds with Roundup® Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer III with Sure Shot® Wand. Just like wild violets growing in the lawn, the best time of year to treat them is in the fall when the active ingredient is quickly moved to the root system.