Quick answer
Hardy means tough and able to endure hardship — a hardy plant survives frost. Hearty means warm and enthusiastic, or substantial and nourishing: a hearty welcome, a hearty meal. Endurance takes hardy; warmth and abundance take hearty.
The core difference
Toughness and warmth.
- hardy — able to endure: a hardy perennial, hardy explorers.
- hearty — warm, enthusiastic, substantial: a hearty laugh, a hearty breakfast.
The gardening sense
Hardy is a precise horticultural term: a hardy plant survives winter outdoors in a given climate, as against a tender one that does not. Half-hardy survives some frost but not sustained cold. Seed packets use these exactly.
The roots
Hardy is from hard, via Old French. Hearty is from heart — warmth and sincerity coming from the heart, which is also why heartfelt and hearty congratulations work the way they do.
Frequently asked questions
What does hardy mean in gardening?
Able to survive winter outdoors in a given climate, as opposed to a tender plant.
Which word means a substantial meal?
Hearty — a hearty breakfast.
Where do the words come from?
Hardy from hard; hearty from heart, which is why it carries warmth and sincerity.
