wild pansy

plant

Also known as: heartsease, johnny-jump-up, love-in-idleness

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

The wild pansy, also known as Viola tricolor, is a plant in the genus Viola, family Violaceae. It is commonly called Johnny-jump-up, heartsease, or love-in-idleness and has been naturalized in North America. This plant typically grows to be 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) tall and has velvety flowers, usually in shades of purple and yellow, that are less than 2 cm (0.8 inches) across. The wild pansy is one of the parent species of the garden pansy (Viola ×wittrockiana).12

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pansy
Major species
The wild pansy (V. tricolor), also known as Johnny-jump-up, heartsease, and love-in-idleness, has been widely naturalized in North America. The flowers of this form are usually purple and yellow and less than 2 cm (0.8 inch) across.
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The wild pansy (V. tricolor), also known as Johnny-jump-up, heartsease, and love-in-idleness, has been widely naturalized in North America. The flowers of this form are usually purple and yellow and less than 2 cm (0.8 inch) across.
Read More