If you’ve ever been to a garden center or nursery, you may have noticed the wide variety of colorful flowers that are available to choose from.
Two of the most popular choices are petunias and pansies, but what are the differences between them? In this article, we’ll compare petunias and pansies in terms of their appearance, smell, sunlight requirements, planting times, and care requirements.
Read on to learn more about the differences between these two beautiful flowers!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Petunias are annual flowering plants that are large, showy and bright.
They are popular for use in hanging baskets and as bedding plants.
Pansies are also annual flowering plants, but they are smaller in size and have a more delicate appearance.
They are often used in garden borders and as edging plants.
Both petunias and pansies come in a variety of colors, but petunias tend to be brighter and more vibrant.
What are Petunias?
Petunias are annual flowering plants that are native to South America.
They come in a variety of sizes and colors with many cultivars available.
The petunia flower is trumpet-shaped and can range in color from white, pink, purple, yellow, orange, and red.
Petunias have a sweet, pleasant scent that many people find quite enjoyable.
They prefer full sun and need to be planted in the spring and summer months.
Petunias are fairly easy to care for and make an excellent choice for novice gardeners.
They can be used in beds, containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes.
Petunias are also popular for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
What are Pansies?
Pansies are a type of flowering plant that is part of the genus Viola.
They are known for their brightly coloured flowers and their ability to tolerate cooler temperatures.
They are native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia, but have been widely cultivated and naturalized in many other areas of the world.
Pansies come in a variety of colours, such as purple, yellow, white, orange, and even multi-coloured.
They have a slightly musky smell and tend to bloom in the late winter and early spring.
Although they can tolerate some shade, pansies prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
They are usually planted in the spring and fall, but can also be planted in the summer if given adequate water and protection from the sun.
Differences in Appearance
When it comes to differences in appearance, petunias and pansies couldn’t be more different.
Petunias are annual flowering plants that come in a wide variety of sizes and colors.
These flowers can be found in shades of pink, red, white, purple and yellow.
They typically have five petals and a trumpet-like shape.
Pansies, on the other hand, are perennial plants with mostly purple or yellow blooms.
Pansies have a flat shape with a face-like pattern on the petals.
The flowers are usually two-toned, with the face pattern in one color and the rest of the petal in a different color.
Both petunias and pansies can be planted in home gardens to add color and beauty to the landscape.
Differences in Smell
When it comes to the differences between petunias and pansies, one of the most distinct characteristics is their smell.
Petunias have a sweet scent that can permeate the air, while pansies have a slightly musky smell that can be more subtle.
The sweet scent of petunias is especially noticeable when the flowers are in bloom, while the musky smell of pansies can be more subtle and not as easy to detect.
The scent of petunias is often described as being similar to that of a rose, while the smell of pansies is often described as being a bit more earthy and musky.
Some people have even described the smell of pansies as being a bit pungent.
The smell of petunias can vary depending on the variety of petunia, while the smell of pansies is usually pretty consistent.
The smell of petunias and pansies can be affected by the environment they are planted in.
For example, petunias that are planted in a sunny location will have a more intense sweet scent, while petunias that are planted in a shady location will have a more subtle scent.
Similarly, pansies that are planted in a shady location will have a more intense musky smell, while pansies that are planted in a sunny location will have a more subtle scent.
Differences in Sunlight Requirements
When comparing petunias and pansies, one of the primary differences to consider is their sunlight requirements.
Petunias are sun-loving plants, thriving in full sun to partial shade.
In areas with extreme heat, they may benefit from a bit of shade during the hottest hours of the day, but they should still receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Pansies, on the other hand, are shade tolerant and can even survive in full shade.
This makes them ideal for areas that receive only a few hours of direct sunlight each day.
For best results, pansies should receive at least four hours of direct sunlight per day.
Though both petunias and pansies can benefit from a bit of shade during the hottest hours of the day, petunias need more sun than pansies overall.
Differences in Planting Times
When it comes to planting times, petunias and pansies are quite different.
Petunias are usually planted in the spring and summer months when temperatures are warmer and there is plenty of sunlight.
Petunias love the heat and need direct sunlight to thrive, so they are best planted when temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
On the other hand, pansies are more tolerant of cold temperatures and can be planted in the spring and fall.
Pansies are also more tolerant of shade, so they can be planted in areas with less direct sunlight.
This makes them ideal for areas that are partially shaded or receive only partial sunlight.
Additionally, pansies are more cold-tolerant than petunias, and can survive temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Care Requirements
When it comes to their care requirements, petunias and pansies have some distinct differences.
Petunias are known for being easy to care for, and they prefer full sun.
They need to be watered regularly and should be fertilized every few weeks to help them bloom more abundantly.
Pansies, on the other hand, are slightly more high-maintenance.
They can tolerate some shade and need to be watered more often than petunias.
Additionally, pansies should be fertilized more frequently than petunias in order to keep their blooms looking their best.
Petunias are usually planted in the spring and summer, while pansies can be planted in the spring and fall.
This is because pansies are perennials, so they are more cold-tolerant than petunias.
Finally, petunias have a sweet scent, while pansies have a slightly musky smell.
Final Thoughts
Petunias and pansies are two of the most popular flowers used in home gardens, but they have many distinct differences.
Petunias are usually brightly colored annuals with sweet scents, while pansies are often purple and yellow perennials with a slightly musky smell.
Petunias need full sun, while pansies can tolerate some shade.
Plant petunias in the spring and summer, and pansies can be planted in the spring and fall.
With the right care and knowledge of these two beautiful flowers, you can add a bright and colorful touch to your garden that will last all season long.