Pansy

One of the most popular flowers​ today​! Home gardeners are growing​ pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) from seed for their beautiful, round-faced blossoms and striking foliage. Also known as violas, they are often the garden’s first seen flowers ​and ​bloom in a variety of colors ​– ​all summer long​! ​Cheerful plants are perfect ​for pots, window boxes, rock gardens​ or borders.

Low maintenance pansy plants​ will provide cool weather color and can be overwintered with a good mulching in gardening zones six and higher. They are short-lived in very warm environments. Pansies are a self-seeding perennial — grown as an annual in the North — that can reach 4 to 10 inches tall, depending on the variety.

Fun fact: Pansy flowers and leaves are edible and offer super-sized amounts of vitamins A and C.

Heirloom pansies are truly historic and extremely beautiful. Planting instructions are included with each seed packet and shipping is FREE!​

Quick Guide: Planting, Growing & Caring for Pansies

1. Now available in a wide range of colors far beyond the classic yellow and purple
2. Prefers partial shade and cool weather; perfect for spring/ fall plantings
3. Can survive in average soil, but thrives when organic matter is added
4. Edible flowers can be added to salads, cakes and more
5. Common pests and diseases are aphids, spider mites, slugs, anthracnose, black root rot and fungal leaf spots

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Maturity: 60-85 days from seed to flower
Height: 4 to 10 inches
Spacing: 6 to 12 inches apart in all directions

Site Preparation

Pansies thrive in cool, well-drained soil. They prefer partial shade, but will tolerate full sun where summers are cool. Add plenty of organic compost or well-aged animal manure to the soil prior to planting to help retain moisture and prevent plants from wilting during the heat of the day (watch our video Flower Gardening from the Ground Up).

How to Plant

Pansies may be grown from seed or seedling (see Starting Annual Flowers Indoors to learn more). Mature plants are widely available in cell-packs from local garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries.

Surface sow or barely cover with soil 10- to 12-weeks before planting outside. Seeds will germinate in 10-14 days. Transplant outdoors when spring temperatures are still cool and a light frost is possible. Set transplants at six-inch intervals and provide deep, weekly waterings to promote strong growth and good flowering.

Remove spent flowers on a regular basis to extend the blooming period and apply a good organic flower fertilizer several times during the gardening season.

Tip: Plant these low-growing flowers under tall, late-blooming plants to get a jump on summer color.

Insect & Disease Problems

Aphids, spider mites and slugs are a few of the common garden pests found on pansies. Watch closely and take the following common sense, least-toxic approach to pest control:

• Remove weeds and other garden debris to eliminate alternate hosts.
• Discard severely infested plants by securely bagging and putting in the trash.
• Release commercially available beneficial insects to attack and destroy insect pests.
• Spot treat pest problem areas with diatomaceous earth, neem oil or other organic pesticide.

Note: Large irregular holes in foliage and partially eaten seedlings are signs of slug damage. Scatter Sluggo®, an organic iron phosphate bait, around plants to kill slugs and snails without harming people, pets or wildlife.

Pansy foliage and flowers are susceptible to several plant diseases including anthracnose, black root rot and some fungal leaf spots. To reduce these plant problems

• Avoid overhead watering whenever possible (use soaker hoses or drip irrigation)
• Properly space plants to improve air circulation
• Apply copper spray or sulfur dust to prevent further infection

Seed Saving Instructions

Violas or pansies are well known for being self-seeders. Seeds can be collected by cutting the entire plant in late summer after blooming has ceased. Dry plants on a sheet and collect the tiny black seeds. Read our article on Saving Heirloom Flower Seeds to learn more.