A Complete Guide on How to Grow Pansies

Pansies are an excellent option for early and late-season containers or garden beds since they are robust, quickly growing, and vivid blossoms. The blooms have brightly colored or bi-colored petals that almost perfectly resemble hearts and frequently have face-like center markings. Pansies that can withstand the cold have been improved through breeding, but more heat-tolerant variants haven't been very successful.

Common Name	Pansy
Botanical Name	Viola x wittrockiana
Plant Type	Short-lived perennial or biennial
Sun Exposure	Partial sun
Mature Size	6 to 9 inches tall, 9 to 12 inches wide
Soil pH	5.4 to 6.8
Soil Type	Light, well-draining, humus-rich
Flower Color	Various colors and patterns, often with a contrasting center or "face"
Toxicity	Non-toxic, edible

Choose plants from the same series if you appreciate the variety of hues but yet want a sense of cohesiveness. Whatever the hue, they will be similar in size and patterns.

• Bolero Series: Bolero flowers are large, ruffled, and semi-double, and they thrive in both spring and fall.

• Bingo Series: Large-flowered in 14 shades ranging from light blue to burgundy; blooms before the well-liked Majestic Giants series.

• Cool Wave Series: Fast-growing plants that bloom vigorously and spread out like Cool Wave petunias. suitable "spillers" for baskets and containers

• Freefall Series: Trailing plants that are day-neutral and perfect for containers

• Joker Series: Strong facial features with complementing bicolors

• Princess Series: Small, delicate flowers with a compact growth habit and a range of hues from cream to deep purple.

Pansies prefer cool weather, so it's best to plant them in early spring or fall. Choose a location that gets partial to full sunlight and has well-draining soil. Dig a hole that's slightly larger than the plant's root ball [4] and place the pansy in it, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly. Here are some tips on how to grow pansies from seeds or transplants:

• Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot for your pansies. They prefer rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.4 to 6.8. You can add compost or organic matter to improve the soil quality.

• Sow pansy seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Use a seed tray or small pots filled with moist potting mix. Sprinkle the seeds lightly over the surface and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and place the tray or pots in a warm place (about 70°F) until the seeds germinate, which may take up to 3 weeks.

• When the seedlings have two or three true leaves, transplant them to larger pots and move them to a cooler place (about 60°F). You can also pinch off the tips of the seedlings to encourage branching and more flowers.

• Harden off the pansy plants by exposing them gradually to outdoor conditions for a week or two before planting them in the garden. Choose a cloudy or cool day to transplant them, and space them about 6 to 10 inches apart. Water them well after planting and apply a balanced fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.

• Deadhead the faded flowers regularly to prolong blooming and prevent seed formation. You can also trim back the plants in midsummer if they become leggy or stop flowering. Pansies may overwinter in mild climates, but they may need some protection from frost or snow. You can mulch them with straw or leaves, or cover them with a row cover or cloche.

Pansies are a fairly common flower to plant in containers and window boxes due to its erect habit and lovely hues. Use a reasonably loose, well-draining potting mix and a container with good drainage because they don't like damp roots. It makes sense to apply a slow-release fertilizer to the potting soil. Deadhead frequently, prune down leggy growth, and feed the plants every few weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

When you realize that pansies have outgrown their container, repotting should be done every two to three years. Early in the spring, repot them so they can settle in while the weather is still cool. They are quite simple to repotted. Simply fill a larger container of any material with high-quality, well-draining potting soil, and place the newly replanted pansies in the sun.

Pansies can be susceptible to pests like aphids and diseases like powdery mildew [5]. Monitor your plants regularly and treat any problems promptly with an appropriate pesticide or fungicide.

Q: How often should I water my pansies?

A: Pansies need regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. Water deeply once a week, making sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.

Q: Can I grow pansies in containers?

A: Yes, pansies are well-suited for container gardening. Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with a high-quality potting mix. Water and fertilize regularly, and deadhead spent blooms to encourage new growth.

Q: Do pansies prefer sun or shade?

A: Pansies prefer partial to full sunlight, but they can also tolerate some shade. Choose a location that gets at least four hours of sunlight per day.

SOURCES

The New York Garden works under restricted procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies and studies conducted by academic organizations. Tertiary references should be avoided. For more information on how we ensure our material is correct and up to date, please visit our editorial policy.

1. Pansies Bring Color to the Spring Garden - Iowa State University

2. Fungal Diseases - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3. Normal fertilization and embryo development by intracytoplasmic sperm injection of round-headed acrosomeless sperm - National Institutes of Health

4. Root ball dimensions - UF/IFAS - Environmental Horticulture

5. Powdery Mildew of Vegetables - Maine.gov