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Pansy

Viola spp.

Category: Flowers

A cheerful harbringer of spring, pansies (a species of viola), are widely used in flower beds, containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. While the standard cream, purple, gold, blue, red, and orange colors are still popular—new varieties offer many shades and markings, especially pastels. You may find annual pansies overwintering in your garden or container. Some specific varieties can grow to 16" (40 cm), making them excellent cut flowers. Pansies are a cool weather lover, tolerating light frosts. Cut plants back to basal growth in hot weather and they will usually revive in fall.

How to Grow Pansy

Quick Info

Spacing
2/Square
Depth
0 in
0 in
Sun
Part Sun to Full Sun
Water
1 in/week
Season
Cool
Frost
Tolerant
Height
6-9 in
Germination
4-7 days
Germination Temp
60-75 °F
Sprout to Harvest
60-90 days
Soil pH
Neutral

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Varieties

Back to Black Viola
Back to Black Viola These compact violas boast 3/4-inch flowers of the deepest purple, appearing black.
Cool Summer Breeze Viola
Cool Summer Breeze Viola This delightful blend offers consistent cool-weather blooms and edible, subtly flavored flowers, often reseeding for continued enjoyment.
Cool Wave Berries ‘n Cream Mix
Cool Wave Berries ‘n Cream Mix A vigorous, long-lasting trailing pansy mix, perfect for adding vibrant cool-season color to containers and baskets.
Cool Wave Trailing Hybrid Mix
Cool Wave Trailing Hybrid Mix This unique pansy is the first of its kind to offer a true trailing growth habit, ideal for cascading displays.
Got the Blues
Got the Blues A delightful mix of light and dark blue edible flowers, perfect for brightening gardens and garnishing culinary creations.
Johnny-Jump-up
Johnny-Jump-up A charming, cold-tolerant flower known for naturalizing and its delightful edible blooms.
King Henry Viola
King Henry Viola This cool-season viola produces compact mounds of royal-hued flowers, offering extended bloom and edible petals for culinary garnishes.
Majestic Giants II Hybrid Mix
Majestic Giants II Hybrid Mix Gigantic, blotched blooms in a vibrant 15+ color mix, perfect for early spring or fall bedding.
View all 11 varieties →

Pests

Beneficial Critters

Growing from Seed

Cover seeds lightly. Check variety for specific days to maturity.

Planting Considerations

Pansies like rich, well drained soil.

Feeding

Pansies do not need extra fertilizing- too much and plants become leggy.

Harvesting

Pick when terminal (tip) flower is unfurling. Blossoms are edible—their delicate, wintergreen flavor is wonderful when used as a colorful garnish on salads and desserts.

Pruning

Trim back stems if plant gets leggy.

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