Pansy Flower Guide: How to Grow Pansy Types, Pics, Identify Pansies, Care Tips

Image Credit: Klaus Montag (klausPeter)²³

Because they self-seed and require no care, wild Pansies grow quickly in open ground, roadsides, gardens, or wastelands. Moreover, these flowers can be perennial or annual, depending on how cold the region gets.

Pansies belong to the genus Viola and Violaceae family. The genus Viola is the largest within the family and has over 500 species.⁷

Contrary to parents, Pansy Flowers have larger blooms in more colors. So, how do you tell them apart?

While we cannot discuss all the 500 in this article, here is how to distinguish Viola × wittrockiana from the rest.

How To Identify Pansy Flower

If you’re interested in learning how to identify Pansy Flower, examining its leaves, flowers, and seeds is key.

Pictures of Pansies can offer a detailed look at these features, helping you distinguish them from other similar plants.

Pansy Leaves

Viola × wittrockiana are usually large compared to other viola. The Pansy leaves shape can be oval or heart-shaped with rounded or slightly toothed edges.

They are dark green with a smooth texture.

Pansy Flower (Pansies Colors)

The best way to identify Viola × wittrockiana is through their blossoms. The petals are rounded and overlapping with a velvety texture.

Four petals usually face up while one faces down, and a unique face-like marking at the center of the flower. The flower is about 2-3 inches in diameter.

Pansies colors are diverse, including purple, orange, yellow, white, black, and multi-colored.

Pansy Seeds

Viola × wittrockiana seeds are small, oval, brown, or black. You can collect them when the flowers dry up.

But even if you don’t, they’ll drop and self-seed for the next season.

Pansy Flower Facts

Here are a few fascinating Pansy Flower facts you should know:

1. The word Pansy comes from the French word ‘pansee,’ which means thought.
2. Pansy Flowers are, in many cultures, associated with love and remembrance. They are, therefore, used in ceremonies to commemorate loved ones.
3. The Pansy Flower has been given many names and used in tales. In Germany and the Czech Republic, it’s known as the ‘little stepmother,’ ‘orphan’ in Slovenian, and ‘little flame’ in Italy.
4. The origin of Viola × wittrockiana can be traced back to the early 1800s in Iver, Buckinghamshire, England, when Lord Gambier and his gardener started cross-breeding different Viola species.
5.  Pansies leaves and flowers are edible. They are high in vitamins A and C.
   They can be added to salads, jellies, soups, desserts, and cocktails. Pansies have a mildly sweet flavor.
6. Pansies are loved for their beauty and fragrance. But did you know not all Pansies have a strong scent?
   In fact, some do not have a scent at all. However, blue and yellow Pansies have the strongest scent.
7. Pansy is the February’s birth flower. Are you shocked it’s not the rose?
   Well, as stated earlier, these flowers are associated with love.

Types of Pansy Plant Flowers

If you want to add Pansies to your garden, you may wonder which variety is best. Below is a roundup of some of the best Pansy Flowers:

Purple Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best purple Pansy Flowers:

(Image: Hans¹²)

• Purple Rain: This one has dark purple petals and a yellow blotch at the center.
• Delta Premium Purple: This Pansy has deep purple petals with a dark blotch and yellow or white markings at the center.
• Inspire Purple: These Pansies have soft lavender-purple flowers with a darker blotch in the middle.
• Delta Speedy Purple: They have deep purple petals with a faded blotch.
• Blue Skies: Contrary to its name, this beauty is not purple. It’s light purple with deep purple whiskers and a yellow center.

Black Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best black Pansy Flowers:

• Bowles Black Pansy: They have black blossoms with yellow streaks in the center.
• Black Accord: It’s black with a touch of yellow and purple at the center.
• Black Moon: This variety has intense, velvety black petals. The color is quite striking and uniform.
• Clear Crystal Black Pansy: Contrary to its name, this Pansy has jet-black petals measuring a diameter of 1 to 2 inches. This one will attract all types of butterflies and other pollinators to your garden.
• Black King: They have black petals with purple or maroon undertones.

Yellow Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best yellow Pansy Flowers:

• Colossus Yellow with Blotch: This one has very big bright yellow petals with a brown central blotch.
• Clear Yellow Pansy: As the name suggests, it’s all yellow without any markings or the “face.”
• Golden Yellow Pansy: This Pansy is also clear, but the petals are rich golden yellow.
• Inspire Plus Lemon Blotch: They have soft, lemon-yellow petals and a dark blotch.
• Rhinegold: It has very bright yellow petals and a brown blotch in the middle.

Blue Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best blue Pansy Flowers:

• Pure Light Blue: These blue flowers have no face. They have light blue petals and a yellow center.
• Matrix Blue Blotch: They have a rich royal blue with a dark center.
• Inspire Plus Blue Velvet: It’s velvety blue appearance with a black and yellow center.
• Blue Mood: It has light blue petals with a yellow center, white margins, and deep streaks.

White Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best white Pansy Flowers:

(Image: May_hokkaido¹³)

• Cool Wave White: It has soft white flowers with yellow markings at the center.
• Delta Premium White Blotch: It has white petals with a purple ‘face’.
• Cool Wave Violet Wing Pansy: It has white petals with purple stains on the edges and yellow center with purple markings.

Red Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best red Pansy Flowers:

• Delta Pure Red: It has bright red petals and a yellow center.
• Spring Matrix Red Blotch: It’s scarlet red with a huge blotch.
• Pansy Alpenglow: It has bright red petals with a dark blotch.

Pink Pansy Flower

Below are some of the best pink Pansy Flowers:

• Pansy Xtrada Pink Shades with Blotch F1: These dark pink flowers have a dark blotch with a yellow center.
• Frizzle Sizzle Raspberry Pansy: It has ruffled pink petals with a dark blotch with white markings and a yellow center.
• Sunrise: No doubt this Pansy will remind you of sunrise with pink petals, yellow markings, and a dark blotch.

How To Grow Pansies and Pansy Flower Growing Zone

Pansies are one of the most appealing flowers you can elevate your garden with. These flowers boast gorgeous blooms, ranging in different colors and patterns.

Choosing the right Pansy Flower growing zone ensures that your garden will have continuous blooms. You will likely enjoy having Pansies more during fall when their summer flowers begin to fade away because they are relatively cold-resilient.

Pairing Pansies with summer flowers would be a great idea, ensuring your garden has been graced with flowers throughout the year. This is ideal for those who live in warmer areas that experience moderate winters.

(Image: Manfred Richter (manfredrichter)¹⁴)

Unfortunately, these flowers aren’t heat tolerant, and will often die during the warmer months, more so if grown under direct sunlight.

Hence, how do you ascertain you will enjoy these Pansies for as long as possible? Here is how to grow Pansies:³

When To Plant Pansies (When To Plant Pansy Flower for the Best Yield)

When to plant Pansy Flower for the best yield largely hinges on your geographic location and local climate conditions. Pansies are cool weather plants.⁹

The most reasonable time to grow them depends on where you live and the surrounding climate. Therefore, you can grow Pansies from late summer until early fall.

This lets them develop well before winter arrives and flower well during spring. Nonetheless, if your area encounters unfavorable winters, sow them during spring, specifically after the last frost which is practically between April and May.

The flowers will blossom from late spring until mid-summer, but may not get through the next winter. Furthermore, you can even plant Pansies during late fall or winter for those with moderate winters.

Growing Pansy Flower

Now that you understand when to plant Pansies, you might wonder which is the best method to plant them.⁶

Pansies can be grown in pots, window boxes, or gardens. You can start them from seeds, cuttings, or by buying seedlings.

Growing a Pansy Flower From a Seed

If you had Pansies in your garden last season and saved some seeds, growing a Pansy Flower from a seed can be a cost-effective option, even though it may take a bit more time to see blossoms.

To grow Pansies from seeds, you can plant them indoors or outdoors.

Planting Pansies Indoors

Sowing the seeds indoors enables you to enjoy a more extended blooming period.

(Image: 1278956¹⁸)

So what’s the process for planting Pansies this way?

1. Fill the container or tray with seed starting mix.
2. Water the mix, but ensure it’s just moist, not wet.
3. Sow the seeds and ensure they are in good contact with the soil.
4. Place the container in a black paper bag (Pansy seeds need darkness to germinate).
5. Place them in a cool place and ensure the soil remains moist.
6. The seeds will germinate in one to three weeks.
7. After germination, remove the black plastic bag and move the seedlings to a place with sufficient light.
8. You can transplant the seedlings outside when they have three to four sets of leaves, but you must harden them first.

Seeding Pansies Outdoors

It’s also possible to plant Pansy seeds outside in garden beds. You don’t need to place them in a dark paper bag or harden them.

So how is it done? Prepare your garden beds, and remember to add compost.

Pansies love fertile soil. Sow the seeds and cover them with a layer of soil.

Sprinkle water, but ensure the soil is not too wet. Wait for at least 6 weeks before transplanting them.

If you live in a region with a mild climate, you can seed Pansies outside in mid to late summer. And if your climate is cooler, you can seed them in summer or after the first hard frost.

For summer-grown seeds, you will have to overwinter. After the danger has passed, remove the covers to allow the plant to bloom in spring.

The seeds planted after the first hard frost will sprout in early spring.

When buying Pansy seedlings, choose compact, healthy seedlings with green leaves. You can also check the roots- healthy roots are white- because root bound seedlings might not grow well.

Growing a Pansy Flower From a Seedling (How To Transplant Pansy Seedlings)

Buying and growing a Pansy Flower from a seedling will work if you want to avoid the stress of growing Pansies from seeds. However, these steps still apply even if you grew the seedlings yourself.

If you grow the seedlings indoors, you must harden them before planting them outside. Do this by putting them outside for a few hours for one week, each day adding an hour or two.

Now, to plant the seedlings:

1. Choose a planting spot depending on the climate of your area. If your region is warmer, choose a spot where they’ll get full morning sun but an afternoon shade.
2. Loosen the soil and prepare the ground by adding compost manure.
3. Dig holes that are a little bigger than the seedlings’ root ball.
4. Remove the seedlings from the tray and place them in the hole.
5. Fill the gaps with soil, but ensure the top of the root ball is level with the soil’s surface.
6. Mulch around the seedlings to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.

Growing Pansies in Pots

If you don’t have enough space to plant Pansies on the ground, don’t fret. Pansies in pots, as well as in hanging baskets and window boxes, can thrive when properly cared for.

(Image: 16999311¹⁵)

In fact, this can be a great idea if you live in a warmer area, as you can transfer the Pansy Flower to a cooler spot during summer.

Use containers of about 12 inches in diameter and the standard potting soil used in containers. Don’t be tempted to plant many seedlings in one container because their growth will be affected.

Don’t exceed more than four Pansies in one 12-inch container.

Planting Tips for Pansy Flower (Pansies Care)

For optimal pansies care, consider these planting tips for pansy flower:

How Far Apart To Plant Pansy Flower

When you plant flowers close together,¹⁰ they get stressed and are susceptible to diseases. This is because air doesn’t circulate properly.

The plants will also not dry out between waterings, which can encourage root rot, and spider mites will also creep in.

Additionally, the flowers will not look their best as fewer nutrients exist. To prevent this, it’s important to know how far apart to plant Pansy Flower.

Space your Pansies 6 to 12 inches apart, depending on how big they get.

Companion Plants for Growing Pansy Flower

Pansies are beautiful, whether planted alone or with other flowers and plants. However, adding different types of flowers and plants is best if you want a versatile garden.

When choosing companion plants for growing Pansy Flower, pick plants with the same soil and watering requirements as Pansies.

Additionally, don’t plant flowers of the same color. For instance, if you have pink, purple, and red Pansies, you can add different types of white flowers.

(Image: Peggy_Marco¹⁶)

However, these plants don’t necessarily have to be cool-weather plants. You can pair them with summer blooming flowers to ensure your garden is lit with flowers all year round.

So, which are the best companion plants for Pansies?

1. Snapdragons: Pairing Pansies and snapdragons is not only good for color, but they also help each other out. Snapdragons support Pansies to stand up straight while Pansies attract pollinators.
2. Daffodils: These pretty flowers are also perfect companions for Pansies. Pansies are among the plants that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, while daffodils will deter pests like slugs and aphids.
3. Marigolds: Both marigolds and Pansies produce beautiful blossoms that complement any garden. Moreover, marigold is a known pest repellent, so you’ll have fewer pests to worry about.
4. Coral Bells: Are you looking for a gorgeous tapestry of colors and texture? Add coral bells to the Pansy garden.
5. Tulips: These are perfect for a Pansy garden because they have similar growing conditions and will shield Pansies from the afternoon sun as they grow taller- up to 2 feet. Remember to plant tulips behind Pansies so as not to cover them from the morning sun.
6. Sweet Alyssum: Plant sweet alyssum with Pansies for bright colors and an aromatic garden.
7. Herbs: Because Pansies are edible, which is a better way to enhance their garden than adding herbs or vegetables? You can pair them with lettuce, rosemary, parsley, garlic, mint, and chives.

Other plants to pair with Pansy include lavender, funnel, catnip, primrose, creeping phlox, and asters.

Best Growing Conditions for Pansy Flower (How To Care for Pansies)

Understanding the best growing conditions for Pansy Flower is crucial for maximizing their blooming potential and overall health. Learning how to care for Pansies involves choosing the right soil, sunlight, and watering regimen to create an environment where these vibrant flowers can flourish.

How Long It Takes To Grow Pansy Flower

Unlike flowers like marigold flowers, which are quick to germinate, taking about 3 to 10 days, Pansy seeds will take longer. Usually, they can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on soil temperature.

Their ideal germination temperatures are from 65 to 75°F. (18-24°C) and total darkness.

Cover the seeding tray with a black paper bag when seeding them indoors. And when seeding outside, just cover them with soil.

After germination, you’ll wait 6 to 10 weeks before transplanting the seedling outside.

How long it takes to grow Pansy Flower depends on your starting point. With proper care, you can expect to start seeing Pansy Flowers in the next 6 weeks after transplanting.

Typically, a Pansy Flower will take 3 months to grow from a seed to bloom. However, you can shorten the waiting period by purchasing seedlings.

Growing Zones for Pansy Flower: Where To Grow Pansy Plant

There is a lot of conflicting information on Pansies’ planting zones. Generally, Pansies grow best in hardiness zone 6 to 10.

But that doesn’t mean these are the only growing zones for Pansy Flower (where to grow). You can still grow Pansies as annuals in colder zone 3-5, but you must overwinter.

Keep in mind that overwintering doesn’t guarantee winter survival.

Moreover, Pansies are grown as perennials in milder zones 7-10, but you must provide afternoon shade in hot summers. And because Pansy plant grow best during the cool days, they will grow in spring and flower all through fall and winter in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10.

Are Pansies Perennials? How Long Do These Cool Flowers Last?

Original Pansy Flowers are biennial. This means they take two years from seed to bloom to produce seed, dry out, and die.

They will produce foliage in the first year and bloom in the second year. However, the Pansies found in many gardens are hybrids.

(Image: Kapa65¹⁷)

So are Pansies perennials or annuals?

Viola × wittrockiana is a biennial or short-lived perennial like the parent. This is because they usually return to flower for a second season, especially in regions with moderate winters and cool summers.

However, they are grown as annuals in areas with harsh winters.

Pansies are easy to grow and require minimal care. However, their success largely depends on giving them ideal growing conditions.

So, what are these ideal growing conditions for Pansies? Like all plants, cool flowers like Pansies need water, sunlight, and suitable soil to thrive.

When Is Pansies Season To Bloom

Pansies’ blooming season will depend on your region. In cooler climates, the Pansies season typically spans from spring to summer, while in warmer areas, it extends from fall to winter.

Therefore, you must select a cultivar well suited for your area to enjoy a longer blooming period.

How Much Sunlight Does Pansy Flower Need Each Day? (Do Pansies Need Full Sun)

Do Pansies need full sun? While Pansies prefer cool weather, they still need sunlight to grow and bloom.

Typically, they grow best in full sun to partial shade. However, too much sun exposure will fry them, causing them to have brown and crispy leaves.

Moreover, lack of sun exposure will encourage powdery mildew and delay blooming. So, how much sunlight does Pansy flower need each day?

Pansies grow best when they get sunlight for 6 hours daily. But 4 hours daily will also do.

If you’re growing Pansies in warmer areas, plant them where they will get the morning sun, but protect them from the harsh afternoon heat by planting some types of evergreen trees.

Watering Needs for Pansy Flower Plants

Like all other plants, Pansy Flowers need water to grow. However, the watering needs for Pansy Flower plants vary with the season.

During the rainy season, you don’t need to water at all, but you must increase watering intervals during the dry season. As a thumb rule, give Pansies 1 inch of water weekly when actively growing.

(Image: Denise Davis²²)

Alternatively, water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. This can be once or twice a week, depending on your climate.

Keep in mind flowers growing in containers will need more water. For instance, in warmer regions, you can water once or twice a day.

So, what signs usually indicate watering problems for Pansies?

• Powdery mildew: Overhead watering promotes the growth of powdery mildew.
• Rotting stems and flowers: Avoid overwatering and overhead watering, especially in the evening.
• Yellow leaves: The issue could be from overwatering and can lead to root rot. It could also be from inadequate watering.
• Plants lying on the ground: This is a sign of insufficient watering.
• Brown leaves: This is also a sign insufficient watering.

Soil Needs for Pansy Plant

Pansies grow best in rich and well-drained soil with a pH of 5.4 to 5.8. Above this range, the flower will not receive sufficient nutrients, resulting in yellow leaves, lack of blooms, and root diseases.

Add well-rotten compost manure or slow-release fertilizer to ensure fertile soil before planting. However, when growing in pots, use the usual potting mix but feed with liquid plant food after the first month.

Pansy Cold Tolerance (How To Care for Pansies in Winter)

Pansies are cool weather, hardy flowers that can survive temperatures down to a single digit. However, they grow best when temperatures are between 45°F and 65°F (7°C and 18°C).

Moreover, when the temperature drops below 25°F, it’s important to note the Pansy cold tolerance limits, as the leaves wilt and turn gray-green.

While Pansies seedlings can survive a light frost, they will not survive a heavy one. Therefore, don’t plant Pansies when night time temperatures are below freezing.

But if they are already on the ground, overwinter them by adding a layer of mulch around them or keeping them inside if they are in pots.⁴

Furthermore, ensure the soil has good drainage to prevent cold water from gathering around the plant, and use a slow-release and water-soluble fertilizer. To help the plant conserve energy and develop stronger roots in preparation for winter, it’s advisable to deadhead Pansies in winter.

Deadheading Pansies is easy, as no tool is needed. Use your fingers to pinch off the flower stem just below the Pansy Flower and above a set of leaves.

Common Pests of the Pansy Flower and Natural Pest Control for Pansy Flower

Pansy Flowers are usually attacked by different pests.¹ So, if you’re wondering about the common pests of the Pansy Flower and the natural pest control for Pansy Flower, read below.

They will be attracted to the beer and drown. You can also spread coffee grounds on the garden edges.

Diseases and How To Stop Pansy Flower Disease

Understanding how to stop Pansy Flower disease is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant garden. We will explore common diseases that affect Pansies and provide actionable steps to prevent and treat these conditions.

Powdery Mildew

Powdery mildew is caused by fungi in the Erysiphaceae family.² This disease is caused by excessive watering and high humidity.

This condition turns the leaves brown and curls.

You can tackle powdery mildew naturally by spraying water and milk, or mix baking soda, liquid soap, and water. Although, if you desire to treat the disease chemically, employ a Broad-Spectrum Fungicide.

Leaf Spots

Leaf spots appear as round to non-uniform brownish spots on leaf surfaces. You can stop or manage them through a fungicide or neem oil.

It’s also essential to eliminate the severely affected leaves and abstain from excessive watering to prevent the spread of leaf spots.

Root rot

Root rot occurs as a result of fungal infection or when the roots absorb little or no oxygen. Unfortunately, this condition is not treatable, and you will be forced to uproot the Pansy Flower, eliminate the contaminated areas, and replant it in a fresh pot and soil.

Nonetheless, you can inhibit its occurrence by abstaining from excessive watering and planting the Pansy Flower in well draining soil.

Pansy Flowers are adorable due to their effortlessness to grow. Several gardeners desire them due to their sparky, and bright blooms.

These flowers can be grown in borders, containers, or gardens, as they are hardy and flourish in several growing zones.

Even so, it’d be important to overwinter them in cooler areas and shade them during hotter summers. Additionally, stay watchful of pests and diseases before they spread and destroy the flowers to unmanageable levels.

Growing Pansy flower varieties is easy once you know a few care tips for this lovely and elegant flower.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pansy Flower