What is the difference between pansies and violas? A quick guide to telling the two flowers apart
Plant form differences: The stems of pansies have a single ridge, and some grow upright while others lean slightly. The stems of violas have four ridges and grow upright. Leaf differences: Pansy leaves are ovate, with relatively large stipules, while viola leaves are lanceolate or ovate, with relatively small stipules. Flower differences: Pansy flowers are larger than those of violas.
I. Plant form differences
Pansies generally reach a height of 10-40 cm. Their stems are relatively thick, either growing upright or leaning slightly, and have a single ridge. Violas generally reach a height of 10-30 cm, with shorter stems, but they grow upright and have four ridges.
II. Leaf differences
Pansy leaves are ovate, with both the tip and base relatively rounded and blunt, and sparse serrations along the leaf margins; the stipules are relatively large. Viola leaves are lanceolate or ovate, and the stipules are relatively small.
III. Flower differences
Pansy flowers are relatively large, about 3.5-6 cm in diameter, and usually 3-10 small flowers grow together on a single stem. Viola flowers are relatively small, about 2.5-4 cm in diameter.