Heartsease (wild pansy) Viola tricolor
Heartsease (wild pansy) (Viola tricolor) is an annual flowering plant in the Violaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 10–25 cm (4–10 in) tall and 15–25 cm (6–10 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
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Heartsease (wild pansy) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Violaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 cm (4–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–25 cm (6–10 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowers |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Heartsease (wild pansy) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the flowers are eaten in salads and on cakes.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Heartsease (wild pansy)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Heartsease (wild pansy)
- How far apart should I plant Heartsease (wild pansy)?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 cm (6–10 in).
- Does Heartsease (wild pansy) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Heartsease (wild pansy) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Heartsease (wild pansy)?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Heartsease (wild pansy) flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Heartsease (wild pansy) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the flowers are eaten in salads and on cakes.
- What grows well with Heartsease (wild pansy)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Heartsease (wild pansy). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- A hardy annual: sow where it is to flower in autumn or early spring, thin the seedlings, and let some plants set seed.
- A small purple, yellow and white wild pansy, and a parent of the garden pansy bred in England in the early 1800s. Annual or short-lived; seeds itself in gravel and along paths.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Garden pansy Viola x wittrockiana
- Sweet violet Viola odorata
- Native violet (ivy-leaved violet) Viola hederacea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus