Everything You Need To Know About Growing Pansies

Written by Joel SImon in Perennials

Pansies are annual easy-to-grow plants that are available in about 60 different varieties that are low-growing plants.

They are separated into two main types, the first is known as clear pansies which have one solid color.

The second type and most popular is known as blotch pansies which have a main petal color with a blotch of another color such as purple, red, blue, or yellow.

There are three other types of pansies known as whiskers pansy, mammoth pansy, and viola tricolor pansy.

Whiskers pansies have brightly colored thin flower petals with lines that look like whiskers on an animal.

Mammoth pansies have been bread to provide an abundance of color that will make them stand out in any setting.

Viola tricolor pansies are related to the viola flower but instead of branching out under the ground like the viola flower, they branch out above the ground.

PLANTING PANSIES

Pansies are best planted in hardiness zone 6 through 8 in well-drained soil with a pH range of 5.0 through 6.0.

They can be sown straight into the soil after the last frost or as I prefer they can be started 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost indoors using a cardboard seed starting tray.

Once sown, they take 10 to 20 days to germinate and they are best germinated in complete darkness.

Pansies will bloom about 6 weeks after germination.

They need full sun but they will do fine in partial shade with slower growth and fewer blooms.

For best results, it is recommended before planting or sowing them to till compost into the soil which is known as amending the soil.

This will provide nutrients to the soil, helps with water retention, and will help to keep the soil loose which will make it easier for the roots to grow.

USES

Pansies are typically used by gardeners in flower beds, rock gardens, raised garden beds, potting containers, as a border, along pathways, or planted in mass as a display.

FERTILIZING AND WATERING

Pansies are best fertilized with a water-based fertilizer that is 15-30-15 after they have been watered or a homemade liquid fertilizer can be used.

When applying fertilizer, it is best to apply it between the base of the plant to the tips of the branches. This area of the plant is known as the drip line.

They need about one inch of water every week and will require more during times of drought.

For pansies that are growing in containers, watering them twice a day is recommended.

MULCHING

Mulching your pansies will help the soil retain water which will reduce the amount of time it takes to water them.

The thickness bed of the mulch is best between 1 to 2 inches thick and may need to be reduced if you live in a moist and rainy climate or if you are is getting more rain the usual.

The mulch will also help with weed control which is important because they don’t compete well with weeds

It is best to add new mulch every year as the older mulch breaks down.

BLOOMS

Delta Premium Pure Yellow Pansy Blooms

Pansies produce single flowers that have three to five large rounded petals that are one or more colors that are between 1 to 4 inches across depending on the variety.

Their blooms take on average seven weeks to appear after germination.

The blooms are available in yellow, orange, red, blue, purple, pink, black, or bi-colored flowers and they are known to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

If you want your pansies to keep producing flowers then remove the wilted flower before it has a chance to produce seed.

This is called deadheading and with this method, the blooms are not allowed to go to seed therefore the plant will rebloom.

PRUNING

When pansies are young the new growth can be clipped off to encourage the plant to bush out which will also increase the number of blooms.

PROPAGATING

If you would like your pansies to return the next season then you can let some or all of the blooms go to seed.

The seed can be collected or allowed to fall to the ground to sprout the following season.

PESTS

Pansies have a few pests to worry about but there are a few to watch out for.

DISEASES

Pansies that are planted close together can develop mold and mildew issues during times of high humidity.

If this is the case then pruning and preventive measures may need to be taken.

VIRUSES

Plant viruses are caused by pests causing damage to a plant, therefore good pest management is a must.

  • Pansy mosaic virus
  • Alfalfa mosaic virus
  • Pansy flower breaking virus
  • Beet curly top virus

VARIETIES

There are about 60 different varieties of pansies that are available in single-colored, bi-colored, and tri-colored flowers.

MAMMOTH PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 8 inches tall and 8 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with yellow, blue, red, or purple and dark burgundy or tri-colored flowers with dark burgundy and white
  • Bloom size – up to 3 inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

WHISKERS PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with purple and white
  • Bloom size – up to 2 and a half inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

BLUE SKIES PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 8 inches tall and 30 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – shades of blue
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

ORANGE PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – orange
  • Bloom size – up to 3 and a half inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

PURE LIGHT BLUE PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 6 inches tall and 8 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with shades of blue and white
  • Bloom size – up to 2 inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

RASPBERRY PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 8 inches tall and 30 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with rosy-purple and white
  • Bloom size – up to 2 inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

RHINEGOLD PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with yellow and black
  • Bloom size – up to 3 inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

SILVERBRIDE PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers that are purple and white
  • Bloom size – up to 3 inches across
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

ULLSWATER PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 6 inches tall and 6 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with blue and some black
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

VIVA LA VIOLET PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 9 inches tall and 8 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with deep purple and some white
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

YELLOW BLOTCH PANSIES

  • Plant size – grows to about 8 inches tall and 10 inches wide
  • Drought tolerant – yes
  • Blooming colors – bi-colored flowers with yellow and some black
  • Foliage – oval-shape green leaves with jagged edges
  • Deer resistant – no

Joel SImon

As a kid, Joel found enjoyment in caring for the many houseplants he grew up with, learning how to transplant them safely, cloning them, and more. At about the age of 10, he wanted to see if he could sprout an orange seed from a store-bought orange and ended up using it as a science experiment in a school project. Throughout the many years of gardening, he has helped many friends and family set up their food and botanical gardens. After years of caring for plants, he was talking with other gardeners and discovering old methods of farming and botanical gardening. Joel has decided to share his knowledge for others to enjoy as he has for many years.

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