The vibrant, cheerful blossoms of pansies and violas are common sights in cool-season gardens, making them some of the most popular bedding plants available. Their visual similarity often leads to confusion, leading many to assume the two names refer to the same plant. While they are close relatives, the plants sold commercially as pansies and violas are botanically distinct, differing in genetic makeup, physical appearance, and garden performance. Understanding these differences allows for more precise plant selection.
The Botanical Relationship
Both the pansy and the viola belong to the same plant genus, Viola, placing them within the larger Violaceae family. The key difference lies in their species classification and origin in cultivation. The plant generally referred to as the pansy is technically a hybrid known by the scientific name Viola x wittrockiana.
This hybrid status means the pansy is not a single naturally occurring species but a complex creation developed by cross-breeding several wild viola species, including Viola tricolor and Viola cornuta. The “x” in its name signifies this hybrid origin, resulting from centuries of selective breeding. Conversely, plants sold simply as violas are often closer to the original wild species, such as Viola cornuta, or modern cultivars derived from them. Therefore, all pansies are technically violas, but the viola is a broader category that includes the pansy hybrid.
Visual Identification Markers
The most immediate way to distinguish the two plants is by examining their flower size and petal structure. Pansies are characterized by large, showy blooms that typically measure between 2 and 3 inches in diameter. Violas, by contrast, feature much smaller flowers, often measuring only about 1 inch across.
The arrangement of the five petals also provides a reliable visual cue. A pansy’s flower is generally structured with four petals pointing upward or outward, and only one petal pointing downward. Violas display a different configuration, typically having two petals pointing upward and the remaining three petals pointing downward.
Pansies are well-known for their distinct color patterns, frequently featuring a characteristic dark, contrasting blotch at the center of the flower, which gives them their classic “face” appearance. While many pansies are bred to eliminate this blotch, it remains a common trait. Violas often present in solid colors or may have fine, whisker-like lines radiating from the center, but they rarely display the broad, prominent blotch seen on pansy cultivars.
Performance Differences for Gardeners
The genetic distinction between the two plants results in noticeable differences in their hardiness and growth habits. Violas are more tolerant of both extremely cold and hot temperatures than pansies. This greater resilience allows violas to maintain a longer, more consistent blooming period, often extending color further into the summer or surviving milder winters more reliably.
In terms of floral output, violas produce a far greater number of blooms per plant, creating a dense, carpet-like display of color. While the individual flowers are smaller, their abundance allows violas to fill a garden bed or container faster than pansies. Pansies, with their larger blooms, produce fewer flowers overall, making each blossom a more dramatic focal point.
The two also differ in their physical structure and longevity. Pansies tend to grow taller, reaching heights between six and twelve inches, and have a bushier growth habit. Violas are shorter and more compact, often growing low to the ground and sometimes exhibiting a trailing or spreading habit. Furthermore, violas are more prone to self-seeding, meaning they can drop seeds that successfully germinate and return the following season, whereas pansies rarely self-seed reliably.