How to Grow Potted Pansies
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Wondering how to grow potted pansies?
Here’s the skinny on this pretty flower with tips for successful growing and usage!
Pansies are a type of Viola (Viola × wittrockiana) with large heart-shaped, overlapping petals and one of the widest ranges of pretty, bright colours and patterns. Well-known as some of the first cheery flowers of spring, they love cool weather. Very suitable for containers and borders alike, they are a versatile and affordable choice. You’ll find pansies everywhere in the spring, from the big box stores to groceries and even the high-end nurseries. They prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. They’re a natural for container gardening and while most gardeners treat them as an annual, they are actually hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. Oh, and they’re edible: popular with chefs for adding colour pops to drinks, salads, appetisers and desserts. Here’s how to plant pansies and keep them growing and blooming for bright, healthy and gorgeous containers.
When To Plant:
Early spring is a great time to plant pansies, which prefer humus-rich, well-drained soil. The ideal planting site will get morning sun but avoid the late afternoon heat. This is a snap if you’re planting in containers, since they can be moved if necessary. Early in the spring season or in the fall, a south-facing location is the perfect spot. During the summer, move pansies to the east side for morning sun and afternoon shade. Because they will spread to be about 9 – 12 inches wide and 6 – 9 inches tall, plants should be spaced about 6 inches apart
- Fill the pot with soil to about 2 inches below the rim of the pot.
- Gently remove pansies from their nursery pots and break up the root ball. (Pansies can be started from seed, but are sort of a pain- much easier to purchase started plants, especially because they aren’t expensive).
- Space the pansies about 6 inches apart, depending on your preference. They can be crowded a bit if you prefer a fuller look.
- Plant them at the same depth they were in their original containers.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
How to Care for Pansies:
One of the most common reasons pansies fail is that they are not watered enough, so if they are not doing well, try a good soak. Be sure to water them regularly. Pansies benefit from a general, all-purpose fertiliser to promote health and growth. A word of caution, though: steer clear of nitrogen-heavy fertilisers as that will give you more foliage and fewer flowers. Dead-heading (removing dead flowers by pinching off or cutting) is important and will encourage plants to produce more flowers for longer.
How to Use Pansies in the Kitchen:
Meet Elizabeth Morse
I specialize in creating productive gardens for my clients (garden consults), showing them how to use fresh foods (private chef & cooking classes) and enjoying…
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