Grow pansies in containers and gardens to add color during the cooler months.
In warmer regions, they also add a punch of autumnal color to a fading September garden.
There are differenttypes of pansies, many of them viola hybrids (Violaxwittrockiana).
Credit: Jason Donnelly
However, pansies also come single-colored or streaked.
They’re even available in black and white.
Whichever colors you choose, here’s how to plant and grow pansies in your garden.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Where to Plant Pansies
Pansies are not challenging to grow.
Rich, well-drained soil, steady moisture, andat least partial sunwill yield favorable results.
There are newer varieties that thrive in full sun, though they still prefer cooler temperatures.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Be aware that too much shade reduces the density of blossoms and makes the plants spindly.
Pansies also don’t tolerate a lot of heat and humidity.
The bulbs will emerge and bloom as usual in spring.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
This is a great way to enjoy more color from your beds until it’s time toplant summer annuals.
How and When to Plant Pansies
The prime times for planting pansies are early spring and fall.
Although they tolerate frost, do not plant pansies when nighttime temperatures are well below freezing.
Credit: Photo: Kim Bergstrom/Getty Images
Space pansies 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on the size of their flowers.
Garden centers often sell older, stretched-out pansies at a discount but resist the temptation to buy them.
Once they reach this stage, the plants tend not to perform well when planted.
Credit: Courtesy Ball Horticultural Company
Avoid full shade since the lack of light leads to leggy plants and a deficit of blossoms.
A spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
In the spring, conditions may be wet enough that you don’t need to water them regularly.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
They peak when airtime temperatures are mildabout 40F at night and 60F during the day.
Anticipate the most blossoms in the cooler months of spring and fall.
In warmer regions, blooming may continue into the winter.
Credit: Matthew Benson
The flowers will fade during the hot months of summer, and the plants don’t tolerate humidity.
While pansies withstand frost, they will become stressed after repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Fertilizer
Add a granular, slow-release 5-10-5 fertilizer to the soil before planting.
Credit:Justin Hancock
Avoid fertilizer formulations withhigh levels of nitrogenbecause this leads to soft leaves and predisposes your plants to rot.
Pruning
Pansiesrespond well to regular deadheading.
This will spur plants to continue blooming.
Credit: Allison Miksch
You may also cut pansies back by a third to stimulate new growth and prolong blooming.
Heat causes pansies to become leggy and stop blooming.
Potting and Repotting Pansies
These easy-to-care-for plants are a great option for container gardens.
Ideally, your pots are small enough to easily move out of hot spots when summer arrives.
If you plan to leave them outside in the winter, look for a frost-proof container with drainage holes.
Place them in a south-facing spot during spring and fall.
In the summer, an east-facing location shields them from the hot sun.
The more established the plants are, the better they’llwithstand cold winter conditions.
That means planting in September, if possible.
The farther south you are, the wider your planting windowOctober may be acceptable in warmer zones.
But in Zones 47, early planting is key if you plant to overwinter your pansies.
Healthy plants establish more quickly, and a rapidly growing root system is critical to winter hardiness.
Generally, varieties with medium-size flowers overwinter better than large-flowered types, but there are exceptions.
Below Zone 6, plant only the hardiest cultivars.
Pests and Problems
Pests
Pests are not a significant issue with pansies.
Immediately remove infected leaves, and reduce the risk of disease by watering at the base of the plant.
Yellow leaves are also a sign of fungal infection; diseased pansies may also wilt and then abruptly die.
Any infected plants should be destroyed.
To avoid this issue altogether, pick well-drained planting locations and avoid overwatering.
Adequate spacing will also reduce the risk of rot.
Botrytis blight, or gray mold, may also affect pansies.
Deadheading spent blossoms and ensuring adequate air circulation around plants help reduce the risk of gray mold.
Stem cuttings are another method of propagating pansies, but this is not recommended for the home gardener.
Purchasing high-quality seeds will yield stronger plants.
Press the seeds into seed-starting mix and bury them, since germination requires darkness.
Cover the tray with opaque plastic, and keep the soil moist.
Once germination occurs, relocate the tray to a sunny spot until it’s time to transplant.
Move them to your garden beds once the heat has broken, about six weeks after planting.
(You also want to ensure they have roughly six weeks outside before the first fall frost.)
Plant seedlings in the ground when soil temperatures range between 45F and 65F.
Allow the divided pansies torecuperate in a cold framefor a few weeks, then move to the desired location.
Note that divided plants may not be as strong as those purchased at a nursery.
The large 3- to 4-inch flowers feature the signature pansy “faces.”
This throw in overwinters well and may re-bloom in the spring.
‘Jolly Joker’
This luxurious-looking variety pairs velvety purple petals with vibrant orange faces.
The ‘Jolly Joker’ cultivar is compact, reaching about 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide.
These fragrant plants grow up to 8 inches tall and spread up to 18 inches wide.
‘Padparadja’
‘Padparadja’ pansies are a rare orange variety, known to withstand heat well.
They don’t have any contrasting markings, making them a bold and unusual cultivar.
Daffodil bulbs should beplanted in the fall, usually around September or October, to ensure a spring show.
They bloom blue, purple, white, or yellow around the time the last snow is melting.
Only reaching about 4 inches tall, grape hyacinths mix well with low-growing pansies.
Like pansies, they perform best when planted in the cooler months of fall and spring.
Consider pairing the two plants in a container for a vibrant cool-season patio planter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in small amounts.
They don’t have much flavor, but you might detect a hint of mintiness.
Pansies may be toxic if consumed in large quantities, so treat them as edible accents.
“Alaska National Heritage Program.
