Pansies are among the most sought-after ornamental flowers in garden centers for good reason. Their small stature and prolific bloom make an extraordinary addition to flower borders, containers, and even cut flower gardens. While traditional pansies are always a favorite, many newer hybrids offer growers an impressive selection of color and texture. Below are several of the best pansy varieties for those looking to add some more unusual flair to the landscape.

Different Varieties of Pansies

1. “Cool Wave Blueberry Swirl” Pansy - This unique spreading pansy is a favorite among growers looking to fill and add interest to spring containers and hanging baskets. These beautiful pansies are also considered to be exceptionally fast growers, cascading from baskets within weeks of planting. 
2. “Panola Pink Shades” Pansy – If you’re looking for the best pansy varieties with more subtle color, these gentle shades of white and light pink may be a better option. ”Panola Pink” pansy has also gained popularity as a useful cut flower when grown at a close spacing. 
3. “Nature Mulberry Shades” Pansy - Deep burgundy with splashes of gold and orange, these unusual pansies offer growers a truly unique color. This variety is also praised for its early and abundant production of flowers. 
4. “Frizzle Sizzle Lemonberry” Pansy - Among the best varieties of pansy for adding texture to the garden, this flower is known for its large size and highly ruffled petals. 
5. “Halloween II” Pansy - Celebrated by many as a true black flower, deep and dark “Halloween II” pansies make an impression in late fall gardens with their mysterious color, which deepens as the weather cools.
6. “Coronation Gold” Pansy - A classic heirloom pansy, this variety has stood the test of time as one of grower’s favorite varieties of pansy. Bright, vibrant yellow blooms are produced on short, yet sturdy stems. 
7. “Chianti Mix” Pansy - A collection of unusual pansies that bloom in a wide range of subtle antique shades. Large, ruffled petals add further interest to mass border plantings and in containers. 
8. “Majestic Giants II Sherry” Pansy - A variety of pansy which displays the traditional center “blotch” pattern. Light, pink shades surround a darker center which has made this variety a truly exceptional bedding plant.
9. “Brushstrokes” Pansy - These unusual pansies feature a wide range of color, with each petal decorated with intricate splashes of color, reminiscent of an artist’s brush stroke. Though the flowers are often much smaller than some other varieties of pansy, they are sure to make an impression. 
10. “Matrix Sunrise” Pansy - Among the best pansy varieties for tolerance to heat and warm temperatures, gardeners delight in the longevity of this elegant flower. Consistency and quick rate of growth also make this pansy an ideal choice for people who are interested in selling bedding plants.

Pansies are a long-time favorite bedding plant. While technically short-lived perennials, most gardeners choose to treat them as annuals, planting new seedlings each year. 

Coming in a wide array of colors and patterns, these harbingers of spring are readily available for purchase in most home improvement stores, garden centers, and nurseries. Gardeners looking to save money often consider starting their own pansy transplants from seed. 

Though somewhat time consuming, the process is relatively easy, even for inexperienced growers. Keep reading to learn about the care of seed grown pansies.

How to Plant Pansy Seeds

Pansies are cool season plants which grow best when temperatures are below 65 degrees F. (18 C.). This makes the plants ideal candidates for planting in fall and spring gardens. Knowing when and how to sow pansy seeds varies depending upon where the grower lives. 

With its larger blooms, this member of the viola family is surprisingly cold tolerant, often surviving temperatures below 10 degrees F. (-12 C.). Various germination methods will ensure a beautiful addition to home landscaping and decorative flower beds. When growing pansies from seed, temperature is an important factor which must be regulated. Ideal germination temperatures range between 65 to 75 degrees F. (18-24 C.). 

While gardeners living in warmer growing zones may be able to sow seeds in the late summer for fall and winter blooms, those living in harsher climate zones may need to sow seed in spring.

Starting Pansies Indoors

Pansy seed propagation indoors is relatively easy. Start with a high-quality seed starting mix. Fill the plant trays with growing medium. Then, surface sow the pansy seeds into the tray, making sure that the seed comes into good contact with the soil. Place the tray into a black plastic bag which does not allow light to pass. 

Place the tray in a cool location and check for signs of growth every couple days. Make certain the soil remains moist throughout the germination process. Once seeds have germinated, move to a location with ample light until time to transplant into the garden. 

Remember, the hardy nature of pansies allows them to be transplanted in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Fall sown pansies can be transplanted as soon temperatures have started to cool in autumn.

Starting Pansies Outdoors

While direct sowing pansy seeds into the garden may be possible, it is not recommended. Gardeners without the space or required supplies for starting seeds indoors can still do so using the winter sowing method. The winter sowing method uses recycled containers, such as milk jugs, to serve as “mini greenhouses.” Surface sow the pansy seeds into containers and place the containers outside. When time is right, the pansy seeds will germinate and begin to grow. Seedlings can be transplanted into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.

They’re the quintessential cool weather flower, so can you grow pansies in winter? The answer is that it depends on where you live. Gardens in zones 7 through 9 may get some cold winter weather, but these little flowers are hardy and can persist through cold spells and add color to winter beds.

Growing Pansies in Winter

Can You Grow Pansies In Winter - Learn About Pansy Cold Tolerance

Whether or not you can successfully grow pansies outdoors in winter depends on your climate and winter temperatures.

Areas much further north than zone 6 are tricky and may have winter weather that kills pansies. When the temperature gets down to about 25 degrees F. (-4 C.), flowers and foliage will begin to wilt, or even freeze. If the cold snap doesn’t last too long, and if the plants are established, they’ll come back and give you more blooms.

Pansy Winter Care

To ensure that your pansies will persist throughout the winter, you need to provide good care and plant them at the right time.

Established plants are better able to survive. Pansy cold tolerance starts at the roots and they need to be planted in soil that is between 45 and 65 degrees F. (7-18 C.).

Plant your winter pansies at the end of September in zones 6 and 7a, in early October for zone 7b, and the end of October in zone 8.

Pansies will also need extra fertilizer in the winter. Use a liquid fertilizer, as it will be more difficult for the plants to take up nutrients from granular fertilizers in the winter. You can use a formula specific for pansies and apply it every few weeks throughout the season.

Winter rains can prove to be damaging to pansies, causing root rot. Use raised beds where possible to prevent standing water.

Keep weeds at bay by pulling them and by using mulch around the pansies.

To get more flowers out of the winter season, trim off dead blooms. This forces the plants to put more energy into producing flowers instead of producing seeds.

Pansy Cold Protection

If you do get an unusual cold snap, like 20 degrees F. (-7 C.), for a few days or longer, you can protect pansy plants to prevent them from freezing and dying. The simplest way to do this is to pile on a couple inches (5 cm) of pine straw to trap in the heat. As soon as the cold weather is over, rake off the straw.

As long as you provide your pansies with good winter care and you don’t have weather that is too cold, you can successfully grow these cheerful flowers throughout the winter as you wait for spring to arrive.

When do pansies bloom? Pansies still liven up the flower garden all summer long, but that’s not all folks. These days, with new types of pansies being developed, pansy bloom time can last the whole year through. If you want more information about the pansy flowering season, read on. We’ll give you the scoop on pansy plant flowering periods.

About Pansy Plant Flowering

If you wonder “when do pansies bloom,” brace yourself for a long answer to a short question. Different pansies have different pansy flowering seasons in different regions. And many can last in your garden for many, many months. Pansies are known to prefer cool temperatures with thick layers of sunshine. Generally, this means that these easy-care, colorful flowers do best during winter in southern regions, throughout summer in cooler northern regions and during both spring and fall in areas in between. In many areas, pansies are grown as annuals. Gardeners extend pansy bloom time by starting the plants indoors. You can plant pansies in the fall in cold-winter regions and there is a good chance these tough plants will survive to flower in early spring.

Do Pansies Bloom in Summer or Winter?

Pansies are such lovely little flowers and take so little maintenance that they are highly desirable garden guests. Many gardeners want to know how long they can keep them around. Do pansies bloom in summer or winter? As a rule, pansy flowering season is from spring to summer in cool climates, then the flowers die back as temperatures rise. But pansy bloom time is fall to winter in hot areas. That being said, plant breeders extend these familiar options with new cultivars offering longer pansy flowering seasons. Newer varieties of pansies can survive temperatures down to the single digits, freeze solid, then rebloom in early spring. Check out some of the cold-tolerant pansies like the 'Cool Wave’ series of pansy. Even in cold climates, these plants can adorn your hanging baskets deep into winter as long as you protect them by bringing them indoors at night. They are cold hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5. Or try the ‘Heat Elite’ series. These huge flowers maintain their shape and bloom freely, accepting without a shrug extremes of hot or cold weather. This extends pansy plant flowering in both warm and cool areas.

“Pansy” comes from the French word “pensee,” meaning thought, and come spring, many gardeners’ thoughts turn to this summer backyard staple. The bright and cheerful blossoms seem to smile up at you like little happy faces. Pansies have been around for centuries, but so many new and fabulous pansy varieties have been developed that they have taken on a whole new aspect in the flower garden. If you want more info on remarkable kinds of pansy flowers, just keep reading.

Types of Pansies

None of us living today knew pansies when they were wild, weedy plants in the 1700s. But even this new century has seen many changes in the types of pansies available in commerce. New pansy plant types include cultivars offering huge blossoms, ruffled petals and vivid colors and color combinations. So instead of using these modest, inexpensive blossoms as edging for more flamboyant flower displays, many gardeners are using fancy pansy varieties as the main dish.

Pansy Varieties for All Weather

Let’s start with pansy varieties that thrive in different regions. Modern pansy plant types include some that do well in hot weather, and others that can take winter’s worst and still raise pretty faces to the sun. It used to be that pansy varieties did poorly in warm regions of the country, bolting and flopping as the temperature soared. New kinds of pansy flowers, however, do very well in heat. One good example is the 'Matrix' series of pansy, developed by PanAmerican Seed. These beauties, including ‘Solar Flare,’ with its exceptional copper and scarlet tomes, which can withstand warm temperatures just fine. Or try the “Heat Elite” series of beauties. Large flowered and short stemmed, these pansies come in many colors and do well in both extremes of heat and cold. Pansy varieties have always done well in cool areas, but how about flowers that stay lovely through Christmas? Select among the new, cold-tolerant pansy plant types like 'Cool Wave White' pansy. They surf right through cold winter days in hanging baskets as long as you bring them into the garage at night.

Big and Bigger Kinds of Pansy Flowers

If you love pansies but want flowers that are big and bigger, you won’t have to look very far these days. Take a look at the ‘Colossus’ series. These pansies are huge, with upward-tilted faces as broad as your palm. They grow on compact plants about 5 inches (12 cm.) tall. Color choice is impressive in these giants. You’ll find deep purple with darker blotches, a mosaic of shades of lavender, pure white without blotches and even deep sapphire blue, among others. You want fancy? Try the ‘Bolero’ series of pansies for truly impressive frills. They are spectacularly lovely with frilled, semi-double flowers in vivid shades. The plants grow to some 10 inches (25 cm.) tall and spread vigorously. An alternative is the ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ series. They offer snazzy blossoms with ruffled petals. Shades range from raspberry red to pumpkin orange to a yellow-blue swirl with contrast blotching.

Pansies are very useful flowers. They are excellent in both beds and containers, they come in a huge variety of colors, and the flowers can even be eaten in salads and desserts. But while these plants are very popular with gardeners, they’re just as popular with insects and other pests. Keep reading to learn more about the most common pansy plant pests and how to combat bugs that eat pansies.

Managing Pansies and Pests

Of all the pansy plant pests, aphids are probably the most prevalent. There are several species of aphid that feed on pansies, including crescent-marked lily aphid, green peach aphid, melon aphid, pea aphid, and violet aphid. They tend to appear on pansies in the spring, attacking the ends of new growth. It can be hard to treat aphids chemically because they reproduce so quickly and effectively. If you miss even a single one, the population will be able to bounce back. Because of this, the best way to manage pansies is to introduce natural predators, such as ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and lacewings. Planting Queen Anne’s lace will help attract these predators. Another of the common pests on pansies is the two-spotted spider mite. Especially during hot, dry weather, you may notice tiny pinpricks on your pansies’ leaves, which eventually spread to light brown spots. If an infestation gets bad, you may notice a fine webbing, and leaves will begin to die. Spider mites are treatable with insecticidal soap or other pesticides.

Other Pansy Pest Problems

Snails and slugs can cause serious damage to pansies during the night, especially during damp weather. In the morning, you will notice irregular holes chewed through leaves and petals, as well as slimy trails left behind. You can discourage slugs and snails by removing litter from around the plant. You can also set out slug and snail traps. Western flower thrips cause scarring on flower petals and may cause flower buds to be deformed when they open. Thrips can be controlled with insecticidal spray and the introduction of predators, like the minute pirate bug and green lacewing. Several caterpillars, including cutworm, greenhouse leaftier, omnivorous leaftier, omnivorous looper, and coronis fritillary, are known pansy plant pests. They are best managed by hand picking.

Pansies are perennial favorites for many gardeners due to their prolific and lengthy bloom time and the myriad of cheerful colors available. Easy to grow, pansies are a terrific option for the novice gardener. Even so, gardeners may find that their pansies aren’t blooming. What causes no flowers on pansy plants? Read on to find out about pansies that won’t bloom and what to do when pansies are not flowering.

Help, My Pansies Aren’t Blooming!

The first thing to consider about pansies that won’t bloom is temperature. Pansies are cool weather plants that take a season to mature prior to blooming and setting seed. This means that in the northern region pansies should be planted in the fall; in warmer areas plant seedlings in the winter. Pansies stop or slow their blooming when the weather gets hot. The heat is a signal to the plant that it is time to start a new generation, so it goes into overdrive to produce seeds instead of blossoms. If the pansies are planted at the wrong time for your zone, a likely reason for the pansies not flowering is because it is either too cold or too hot for them. This is no reason to panic, however, as these little beauties are quite resilient. They may not bloom when you want them to, but they will likely produce abundantly when the weather warms or cools as needed. Another reason for no flowers on pansies is the size of their root system. Many people buy a flat of small plugs for some quick color which, of course, have little root systems. If the plants are planted when the weather is still quite cool, they may just need a little time to grow better roots before blooming.

What to do for No Flowers on Pansy

Sometimes, you can help the pansies along by providing them with a bit of fertilizer. Fertilize them every two to three weeks with a bit of liquid fertilizer to encourage root and plant growth. Phosphorus fertilizer, like bone meal, will also help promote flowering. Also, to encourage blooming, don’t be afraid to deadhead what little blooms you may have or even prune leggy parts of the plants. You may prune up to one-third of the plant to stimulate new blooms and growth. A successful flowering depends on successful planting, so be sure to plant the pansies in a well-tilled bed that is amended with compost or well-rotted manure. This will nourish the plants, but they will benefit from an extra bit of fertilizer in the form of a 5-10-5 fertilizer once in the fall and then again in the spring. To get the longest bloom time out of your pansies, plant them in an area of the garden that is out of full sun during the hottest part of the day, from noon to three p.m. Lastly, if your pansies are lacking in blooms, it might just be the end of their life cycle. Since pansies are annuals or biennials in most regions, after only one or two cycles of blooming, they’re ready to go to that big garden in the sky, or the compost pile.

Help, my pansy leaves are yellowing! A healthy pansy plant displays bright green foliage, but pansy leaves changing color is a sign that something isn’t right. Various diseases may be responsible when pansy leaves are yellowing, but pests or improper fertilization can also cause discolored pansy leaves. Read on to learn about a few of the most common culprits.

Diseases that Discolor Pansy Leaves

Powdery mildew– Powdery mildew leads to patches of powdery white or gray blotches on flowers, stems, and foliage and may cause yellow pansy leaves but usually doesn’t kill plants. This is a fungal disease favored by fluctuating temperatures and high humidity, but may also appear when weather is dry. Downy mildew– Downy mildew leaves fuzzy gray blotches and discolored pansy leaves; it tends to be more prevalent on lower leaves. Yellow pansy leaves may appear before signs of fungus are evident. This fungal disease favors cool, wet weather. Cercospora leaf spot– Cercospora leaf spot discolors pansy leaves beginning with purple-black lesions on lower leaves that eventually develop pale tan centers with bluish black rings and water-soaked areas. Yellow pansy leaves eventually drop from the plant. This is another fungal disease that is spawned by warm, wet, and windy weather or damp, crowded conditions, usually occurring in late spring and fall. Root rot– This condition normally results in stunted growth and brown, mushy roots. Root rot also causes wilting and pansies with yellow leaves. Various soil-borne pathogens, including Pythium, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia cause root rot and is often due to poor soil drainage, overwatering, or containers standing in water. Alternaria leaf spot– Early symptoms of alternaria leaf spot include tan or greenish yellow lesions turning dark brown. As the lesions mature, they may appear sunken or as concentric brown rings, often with a yellow halo. The centers of the spots may drop out. This disease is often carried by contaminated seed and is favored by warm, humid conditions. Impatiens necrotic spot virus– Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) is a common virus seen in impatiens but can also affect other flowering plants like pansies. Plants can develop yellow bull’s eye markings, stem lesions, black ring spots, and other leaf lesions and simply fail to thrive. Thrips are often to blame for this viral infection.

Yellow Pansy Leaves from Insects

Two-spotted spider mites or aphids are the most common insects that affect pansy plants. With spider mites, you may see whitish, pale green, or yellow pansy leaves with pale stippling on upper surfaces; serious infestations of mites leave fine webbing on leaves. Aphids suck nutrients from leaves and stems, resulting in pansies with yellow leaves.

Treating Pansies with Yellow Leaves

Treat small insects with insecticidal soap spray. You may be able to remove light infestations with a strong stream of water, but severe problems may require systemic insecticides. Fungicides are of limited use against mildew, leaf spot, and other fungal diseases but they may be effective when applied early in disease development. Use products registered for use on pansies. Ensure pansies have adequate sunlight. Avoid planting pansies in areas that have previously been affected by disease. Destroy all diseased leaves and other plant parts immediately. Keep flower beds free of debris and clean flower beds thoroughly at the end of the blooming season. Also, clean and disinfect planting containers. Water by hand with a hose or use a soaker hose or drip system. Avoid overhead watering. Under-watering may also be responsible when pansy leaves are yellowing. Fertilize pansies regularly, but avoid over-feeding. Too much fertilizer may cause yellow pansy leaves.

The fluctuating temperatures of springtime can create the perfect environment for the growth and spread of many plant diseases - damp, rainy and cloudy weather and increased humidity. Cool weather plants, such as pansies, can be extremely vulnerable to these diseases. Because pansies thrive in partially shaded areas, they can fall victim to numerous fungal pansy plant issues. If you’ve found yourself wondering what’s wrong with my pansies, continue reading for more information on common problems with pansies.

Common Pansy Problems

Pansies and other members of the viola family, have their fair share of fungal pansy plant issues, including anthracnose, cercospora leaf spot, powdery mildew and botrytis blight. In early spring or fall, pansies are popular cool weather plants because they hold up to the cooler temperatures much better than many other plants. However, as spring and fall tend to be cool, rainy seasons in many regions, pansies are often exposed to fungal spores which spread on wind, water and rain. Anthracnose and cercospora leaf spot are both fungal diseases of pansy plants that thrive and spread in the cool, wet weather of spring or fall. Anthracnose and cercospora leaf spot are similar diseases but differ in their symptoms. While cercospora leaf spot is generally a spring or fall disease, anthracnose can occur anytime in the growing season. Cercospora pansy problems produce dark gray, raised spots with a feathery texture. Anthracnose also produces spots on pansy foliage and stems, but these spots are usually pale white to cream colored with dark brown to black rings around the edges. Both diseases can significantly damage the aesthetic appeal of pansy plants. Fortunately, both these fungal diseases can be controlled by repeated fungicide applications with a fungicide containing mancozeb, daconil, or thiophate-methyl. Fungicide applications should be started in early spring and repeated every two weeks. Powdery mildew is also a common problem with pansies in cool, wet seasons. Powdery mildew is easily recognizable by the fuzzy white blotches it produces on plant tissues. This does not actually kill pansy plants, but it does make them unsightly and can leave them weakened to attacks from pests or other diseases. Botrytis blight is another common pansy plant issue. This is also a fungal disease. Its symptoms include brown to black spots or blotches on pansy foliage. Both of these fungal diseases can be treated with the same fungicides used to treat anthracnose or cercospora leaf spot. Good sanitation and watering practices can go a long way in preventing fungal diseases. Plants should always be gently watered directly at their root zone. The splash back of rain or overhead watering tends to quickly and easily spread fungal spores. Garden debris should regularly be removed from flowerbeds also, as it can harbor harmful pathogens or pests.

Are pansies edible? Yes! Pansies are one of the most popular edible flowers, both because you can eat their sepals and because they come in such a wide array of colors. They are popular eaten both fresh in salads and candied in desserts. Keep reading to learn more about eating pansy flowers and common pansy recipes and ideas.

Using Pansies as Food

Can you eat pansies? You sure can. In fact, unlike with many edible flowers, you don’t even need to be careful to stop at the petals. The stamen, pistil, and sepals (those little leaves directly under the flower) are all edible too. This means you can just snip the flower off its stem and eat away. That being said, you should only eat pansies that you know haven’t been exposed to chemical pesticides–which means no eating flowers you’ve bought at the florist or picked in the park. The best option is to grow the flowers yourself so you know exactly what they’ve come into contact with.

Pansy Recipes and Ideas

When eaten raw, pansy flowers have a fresh, slightly spicy, lettuce-like flavor. In a word, they taste very green. They are popular in salads because their taste meshes very well and they add a great splash of color. Really, they work well as a garnish for any savory meal and since they come in so many colors, it’s easy to find just the right flower to accent your plate. They are also excellent dessert flowers. They can be pressed fresh into the icing of a cake or placed in a bowl of fruit. Candying is the route most chefs take, however, both because it helps preserve the flowers for longer and because it gives them a sweeter, more dessert-like taste. To candy a pansy flower, simply whisk together an egg white and a few drops of water. Using a paintbrush, gently brush the mixture onto both sides of the petals, making sure to coat the surface completely. Then dust the flower with confectioners’ sugar (it should stick in a fine layer). Place the finished flowers face up on a sheet of parchment paper and let them dry overnight. These flowers should stay looking nice for up to a year.

Pansies are one of the spring's charmers. Their sunny little "faces" and wide variety of colors elects them as one of the most popular bedding and container flowers. But are pansies annuals or perennials? Can you grow them year round or are they short-term visitors to your garden? The question depends upon your zone or region. The pansy lifespan may be a fleeting few months or a spring to spring companion. Some further pansy plant info should sort out the question, no matter where you plan to grow.

Are Pansies Annuals or Perennials?

How long do pansies live? Pansies are actually quite hardy, but they bloom in cooler weather and hot temperatures can reduce flowering and make them leggy and unsightly. In their natural state, plants start out as biennials. By the time you purchase them blooming, they are in their second year. Most commercially sold plants are hybrids and do not have cold hardiness or longevity. That being said, you can get pansies to survive into future years in temperate climates.

Will My Pansies Come Back?

The short, quick answer is, yes. Because they have little freeze tolerance, most will die in sustained winters. In areas with moderate temperatures, they may come again in spring, especially if they were mulched to protect the roots. In the Pacific Northwest, pansies will often come back the next year or their prolific seedlings will provide year after year of color. Gardeners in the Midwest and South should assume their plants are annuals. So pansies are perennials but only in areas with short freezes, cool summers and moderate temperatures. The rest of us should treat them as welcome but short lived annuals. Most pansy varieties are suitable for United States Department of Agriculture zone 7 to 10. Hotter regions will enjoy them for only short periods and colder regions will winter kill the plants. There are some varieties that can survive to zone 4, but only a very few and with protection. Even in regions where the plants can be used as perennials, they are short lived. The average pansy lifespan is only a couple of years. The good news is that a wide variety of the plants are offered as easy to grow seeds and, in some areas, they will naturally reseed themselves. That means the flowers may reappear the next year but just as second generation volunteers.

Hardy Pansy Plant Info

For the best chance of successful perennial plants, select those with extra hardiness bred into them. There are several with both heat and cold tolerance, although actual temperatures are not listed. These include:

• Maxim
• Universal
• Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
• Rococo
• Springtime
• Majestic Giant
• Lyric

Can you grow pansies in summer? This is a great question for anyone who prizes these cheerful and colorful flowers. There is a reason you see them as one of the first annuals for sale in the spring and then again in the fall. They do best in cooler weather, but how and when you enjoy them depends on the variety and your climate.

Will Pansies Bloom in the Heat?

Pansies are a classic cool weather flower, used in most places as an annual. In some warmer and moderate climates, like parts of California, gardeners can grow them year round. In areas where the climate is more extreme with the seasons, it is more typical to grow them during the cooler parts of the year. These flowers generally do not want to bloom in the heat. For instance, if your garden is in the Midwest, you will probably put annual pansies in beds or containers in early spring. They will bloom well until the heat of summer, at which time the plants will wilt and sag and stop producing flowers. But keep them going and you will get blooms again in the fall as temperatures cool off again.

Are Summertime Pansies Possible?

Whether or not you can get summertime pansies in your garden depends on where you live, your climate, and the variety you choose. There are some varieties that have been developed for pansy heat tolerance, although they still aren’t crazy about high temperatures. Look for Majestic Giant, Springtime, Maxim, Padparadja, and Matrix, Dynamite, and Universal varieties. Even with these more heat tolerant pansies, if you have temperatures that regularly go over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius) in the summer, they may struggle and wilt a little. Give them partial shade, fertilize lightly, and deadhead throughout the hot months to maximize blooms. If you live in colder climates, with the warmest temperatures of the year at and below 70 degrees, summer will be the best time to grow pansies and get them to bloom. And if you live in hotter climates, it is best to grow pansies in the winter.

Pansies are popular winter annuals that stay bright and blooming even in snowy, cold elements. In order to help them thrive through the worst of winter conditions, it’s critical to stick to a specific pansy planting time. Read on to learn more.

Prepping for Planting Pansies Outside

Pansies have the incredible ability to survive freezing winter temperatures and come out strong in the spring season. However, they can only be resilient if they’re planted at the proper time and in an ideal setting. Fall is the best time to plant pansies. For best results, prepare the planting bed with a 3 to 4 inch (8-10 cm.) layer of organic material, like compost or peat moss. Aim for a planting spot that will get about six hours of full sun each day. Pansies can grow in partial shade but will sprout best with ample sunlight.

When Should You Plant Pansies

You will know it’s time to plant pansies in the fall season when soil temperatures are between 45 and 70 degrees F. (7-21 C.). Premature planting when temperatures are too warm will make the plant turn yellow and leave it vulnerable to frost damage or pest and disease infestation. On the other hand, planting pansies outside when soil temperatures drop below 45 degrees F. (7 C.) causes the plant’s roots to shut down, meaning it will produce few, if any, flowers. You can check your soil’s temperature with a soil thermometer to figure out when to plant pansies in your area. Also, consider your USDA plant hardiness zone to determine the best pansy planting time. Pansies are hardy in zones 6 and up, and each zone has a slightly different planting window. In general, the ideal time to plant pansies is late September for zones 6b and 7a, early October for zone 7b, and late October for zones 8a and 8b.

What to Do After Planting Pansies Outside

Pansies should be well-watered right after planting to get them off to a good start. Be sure to water the plant’s soil and avoid wetting the flowers and leaves, which could attract disease. A layer of mulch added to the pansy plant bed will help prevent any cold weather damage come winter.

Pansies, like many perennials, don’t like wet feet. Unlike most summer perennials, they thrive in the fall and winter – a somewhat rainy season for much of the U.S. For gardeners in soggier growing zones, pansies’ preference for well-drained soil begs the question: can pansies grow in pots?

Container Grown Pansies

They certainly can! Plus, growing pansies in a pot allows for their delicate faces to shine: alone in a statement planter, or as bright patches of color or low-growing trailing plants among taller perennials. Growing pansies in a pot is an easy way to control moisture and soil type, and container grown pansies can flourish when given the right doses of those two must-haves. So here are a few tips that will keep your potted pansy plants happy:

Starting Potted Pansy Plants

Pansies can be grown from seed 14 to 16 weeks before planting, usually in late January. If you're starting pansies from seeds, use grow lights or a sunny windowsill to nourish your container grown pansies, and keep the soil moist. You can also give them a diluted fertilizer after the seed starts have begun to leaf.

Transplanting Potted Pansy Starts

Once the starts are a few inches tall, choose a container and a good potting mix for your pansies. Make sure the potting mix is fairly light, and select a container with drainage holes, as potted pansy plants prefer well-drained soil. You may add some slow-release fertilizer to the potting mix, according to the package instructions, before popping your pansies into their new pots. Leave a few inches between each plant.

Ongoing Pansy Care in Containers

To keep up with caring for your container grown pansies, water the flowers regularly so that the soil is always moist but not soggy. Indirect sunlight is best for these containers. Add a small amount of blood meal or a store-bought fertilizer mix to your potted pansy plants every few weeks, and pinch off any overly leggy growth to keep the plants well-shaped. Pansies grown in pots can be left outdoors through the winter – just give them a deep watering before a hard freeze, and consider covering them during any extremely frigid weather. With a little planning ahead, growing pansies in a pot is an easy way to keep your walkway, front steps or container garden bright through early fall and into winter.

Pansies are cheery little plants that generally grow with very few problems and minimal attention. However, diseases of pansies do occur. For an ailing pansy, treatment may consist of replacing sick pansy plants with healthier plants. The good news is that many pansy diseases are preventable. Read on to learn more about diseases of pansies.

Common Diseased Pansy Symptoms

Alternaria Leaf Spot – The first symptoms of alternaria leaf spot include tan or greenish yellow lesions turning dark brown. As the lesions mature, they may appear sunken or as concentric brown rings, often with a yellow halo. The centers of the spots may drop out. Cercospora Leaf Spot – Symptoms of cercospora leaf spot begin with purple-black lesions on lower leaves, eventually developing pale tan centers with bluish black rings and greasy looking, water-soaked lesions. Eventually, leaves turn yellow and drop off. Plant may also show tiny lesions on upper leaves. Anthracnose – When a pansy has anthracnose, it may have stunted, malformed flowers; round, pale yellow or gray spots with black edges on leaves. Water-soaked lesions on stems and stalks eventually girdle the plant, leading to plant death. Botrytis Blight – Botrytis blight will result in brown splotches or spots on stems and flowers. In high humidity, a gray, web-like growth may appear on leaves and flowers. The plant may also display scattered clusters of spores. Root Rot – Common root rot symptoms include stunted growth, wilting, and yellowing of leaves, especially brown-black, mushy, or smelly roots. Powdery Mildew – Patches of powdery, white or gray blotches on flowers, stems, and leaves is a classic sign of powdery mildew, which affects appearance but usually doesn’t kill plants.

Control of Pansy Diseases

Plant only healthy, disease-free transplants or seeds from reputable nurseries. Destroy all diseased leaves and other plant parts as soon as they’re discovered. Keep flowerbeds free of debris. Clean flower beds thoroughly at the end of the blooming season. Also, clean and disinfect containers. Avoid planting pansies in areas that have been affected by disease. Keep foliage and blooms as dry as possible. Water by hand with a hose or use a soaker hose or drip system. Avoid overhead watering. Avoid over-fertilization.

Forest Pansy trees are a type of eastern redbud. The tree (Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy') gets its name from the attractive, pansy-like flowers that appear in spring. Read on for more information about the Forest Pansy redbud, including Forest Pansy tree care.

What are Forest Pansy Trees?

These are lovely small trees that work well in gardens and backyards. Forest Pansy redbuds offer lovely, shiny, heart-shaped leaves that grow in purple red. As they mature, they deepen to maroon.

The chief attraction of the trees, however, are the brightly colored flower blossoms that fill their canopies in early spring. These rose purple, pea-like flowers are especially noticeable because they appear before the leaves emerge, not like that of other redbuds.

In time, the flowers evolve into seed pods. They are flat, some 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm.) long and resemble snow peas.

Growing a Forest Pansy Tree

Forest Pansy redbud trees are native to eastern and central North America. They grow well in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 8.

If you are thinking of growing a Forest Pansy tree, you need to know how large the tree will become when mature. It usually grows to about 20 to 30 feet (6-9 m.) tall, and the horizontal branches spread some 25 feet (8 m.) wide.

When you start growing a Forest Pansy tree, you should choose its planting location with care. Forest Pansy redbuds do not transplant well, so be sure to place them appropriately.

These trees thrive in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Pick a spot in partial shade if your summers are hot, in sunny locations if your summers are mild. A Forest Pansy redbud will grow in either sun or part shade.

Forest Pansy Tree Care

Irrigation is a key to Forest Pansy tree care. The tree does best in soil that gets regular, consistent moisture, although it is known to be drought resistant once its root system is established. It will decline in wet soil.

The Forest Pansy redbud is a low-maintenance tree that requires little care. It is not invasive, and it tolerates deer, clay soil, and drought. Hummingbirds are attracted to its flowers.

Common field pansy (Viola rafinesquii) looks a lot like the violet plant, with lobed leaves and small, violet or cream-colored flowers. It is a winter annual that is also a difficult-to-control broadleaf weed. Despite the plant’s pretty, long-stalked flowers, most people inquiring about the plant want to know how to get rid of field pansy. Controlling field pansies is not easy, since they do not respond to most herbicides. Read on for more field pansy information.

Field Pansy Information

The leaves of common field pansy form a rosette. They are smooth and hairless, with small notches around the edges. The flowers are a lovely, pale yellow or a deep violet, each with five petals and five sepals. The little plant rarely grows above 6 inches (15 cm) tall, but it can form thick mats of vegetation in fields of no-till crops. It germinates in winter or spring, springing out of the ground so fast it has been nick-named “Johnny jump up.”

The common field pansy produces fruit in the shape of a triangular pyramid filled with seeds. Each plant produces some 2,500 seeds every year that can germinate at any time in mild climates. The fruit explodes the seeds into the air when it is mature. The seeds are also spread by ants. They grow easily in disturbed wet areas and pastures.

Field Pansy Control

Tilling is a good field pansy control, and the plants are only a serious problem for those raising crops that are not tilled. These include cereals and soybeans. The speed of germination and growth does not help gardeners intent on controlling field pansies’ spread.

Those intent on field pansy control have found that certain chemicals are helpful. Consult with your local extension service agent or garden center for instructions and safe use of chemicals if you choose to use them on field pansies.

Note: Chemical control should only be used as a last resort, as organic approaches are safer and much more environmentally friendly.

The Miltoniopsis pansy orchid is possibly one of the friendliest looking orchids you can grow. Its bright, open bloom resembles a face, just like the pansies it was named after. These show-stoppers, also known as Miltonia orchids, originated in the cool cloud forests of Brazil and have developed into hybrid plants with attractive foliage as well as bright flowers.

Pansy Orchid Growing

Pansy orchid growing is mostly a matter of changing the plant's environment to most closely resemble how its ancestors grew, with temperatures that aren't too hot in the daytime and plenty of moisture to encourage floral growth. Study its habits throughout the year and you'll learn how to grow a Miltonia orchid plant. These plants will bloom early in the spring and the flowers will last up to five weeks in most cases. Some hardy varieties will bloom again in the fall, giving you double the color each year. The tall stems will produce up to ten flowers and each flower can grow 4 inches (10 cm.) across. Pansy orchids won't flower if they get too warm or if they dry out. They're very particular about living in a certain environment and won't thrive unless you give them the temperature and moisture they need.

How to Grow a Miltoniopsis Orchid Plant

Miltoniopsis orchid care starts with giving the plant the right home. Their roots are very sensitive to salts and other chemicals from fertilizer, so you'll need fresh planting medium that allows good drainage. Fir bark, sphagnum moss, or a mixture of the two will make a good home for these plants. The medium breaks down and begins to compost very soon, so repot your plant once a year right after they've bloomed. Watering is an important part of caring for pansy orchids. Since they need to have clean roots that are free of deposits, deep watering is necessary. Put the pot in the sink and run warm water over the planting medium until it runs out the bottom of the planter. Allow the pot to sit in the sink until any excess water drains out the bottom. Give your pansy orchid this watering treatment once a week to ensure the right amount of moisture. All plants need food, but these orchids do best with a very small amount. Use 10-10-10 fertilizer and dilute it to one-quarter strength. Use this solution once every two weeks and only when the plant is growing new leaves or stems.

Pansies are popular annual flowers for their cheerful, colorful blooms, easy care, and prolific flowering in the cooler temperatures of the shoulder seasons or winter in warm climates. Pansies are often the first annuals seen in gardens in spring, although they are actually short-lived perennials. Find out how to care for pansies in pots or beds to enjoy this bright, attractive flower.

How Do You Care for Pansies?

Learning how to care for pansies is relatively simple. These annual plants are easy to grow and maintain and are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 10.

Lighting Conditions

Pansies prefer full sun, but they appreciate afternoon shade during the hottest months of the year.

Temperature & Humidity

Pansies grow best when temperatures are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 Celsius) during the day and 40 degrees (4.4 Celsius) at night. Pansies will not bloom in the heat of the summer and die back in the hot temperatures of most places in the U.S. In warmer climates, pansies grow in the winter.

Watering Needs

Keep the soil around pansies consistently moist but not soggy. Care of pansies in pots requires more frequent watering, especially during hot weather.

Fertilizing

Use a fertilizer at the time of planting pansies to provide plenty of nutrients for blooming. A 5-10-5 fertilizer is a good choice. You can add more fertilizer every few weeks to promote flowering.

Soil & Compost

Pansies grow best in fertile, humus-rich soil that is consistently moist. The soil must drain well, though. If your soil is poor, add compost before planting pansies.

When And How To Plant Pansies

In colder climates, plant pansies in containers or beds in early spring and again in fall. The spring flowers will fade, and the plants will get leggy. Remove them and use summer annuals. In warmer climates, plant pansies in fall to enjoy throughout the winter. They will fade and die back as temperatures get hotter.

Pansies do very well in containers, alone or in mixed pots. They also make good edging flowers for beds or along walkways and as temporary groundcover.

Pansy Pruning & Overwintering

Good care for pansies will result in mostly continuous flowering during the growing season until temperatures rise too high. Encourage ongoing blooms by deadheading spent flowers regularly. You can also pinch back the stems to reduce legginess. Ultimately, the plants will get leggy with high summer temperatures no matter what you do and the pansies won't bloom anymore.

If you live in a colder climate, it might not be worthwhile to bring this short-lived perennial indoors to try to overwinter it. However, if you are within the hardiness zone, your pansies may come back each year. If planting in fall, do so early to ensure the plants have time to mature before it gets cold. Ensure the soil drains very well. Melting snow and early spring rain can prevent pansies from re-emerging.

Pansy Problems, Pests & Diseases

Pansy pest problems and diseases are fairly rare. They are most likely to be nibbled by snails or slugs. Excess water can become an issue, causing root rot or leaf fungal disease. Give plants plenty of space for airflow and ensure the soil drains well to prevent these problems.

How To Propagate Pansies

The best and easiest way to grow pansies is with transplants from a garden center. You can also plant pansy seeds, but it’s not recommended to propagate existing plants. Seeds from existing plants will not grow true and cuttings from pansies do not root well. You can divide older plants, but they will not grow as vigorously.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Spring Annual Inspiration

• Did you know that pansies are edible? They can be used in salads, as a garnish, or even candied!
• Explore our picks for the 8 best annual flowers to start in spring. There are some truly unique varieties.
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