Small short-lived perennial or self-seeding annual with tiny three-coloured (purple, yellow, white) faces. The wild ancestor of the modern garden pansy and a traditional edible flower.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–8 | −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–8 | −29 °C to −1 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Zones where it can be grown as an annual — not a frost-tolerance rating |
As a tender annual, Heartsease (Wild pansy) doesn't overwinter — the zone range shows where the growing season supports it. See the RHS rating for its actual cold tolerance.
Growing notes
- Plant in cool-season bedding, troughs, and rock gardens — flowers prolifically over a long season and self-seeds reliably
- Edible flowers — used fresh as salad garnish, candied for cake decoration, and as the traditional pressed flower for ice cubes and clear jellies
- Often grown as an autumn / winter / spring annual in mild climates, struggles in hot summers
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Heartsease (Wild pansy) against your zones