Hi !

First bad luck, Thompson and morgan's seeds hardly germinate :-/ The ones I've tried, have never done anything !!! I won't try again.
Then, according to my own experience, viola's seeds can germinate in the ground (so in the dark) or on the ground (with some light): the thing is that the seeds are with moisture (hard to keep that on the ground) and cold so as to raise their dormancy, then hotter temperatures will make them germinate. In the ground is mainly the best solution but not too deeply.
I'm not sure the light itself have any influence.

Good luck :-)
All the best - Thierry :-)

I recently bought seeds for Viola elatior, Viola polyssecta, and Viola mineola. I was wondering if these should be treated like regular viola/pansy seeds or if any of them require no cold. I have some experience growing from seed but most of my violets have been purchased as plants. I have a tray of Viola odorata in the works but spring is over a month away so I don't expect germination now.

The space I have for warmth with light is pretty crowded so I was hoping these could all be started outside but covered with plastic.