Pansies are hardy annuals, even if they are technically tender perennials grown annually.
In some climates they act as short-lived perennials or biennials when they reseed, lasting only a few seasons.
When planted in fall or spring, pansies continuously bloom all season.
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In warm regions, fall-planted pansies can last from winter to spring.
Planting Pansies
Pansies are easy to grow in containers or garden beds.
When buying nursery plants, choose pansies that are stocky, bushy, and have plenty of buds.
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In the garden bed, plant pansies at the same depth as their nursery pot in well-draining soil.
Leave 6 to 12 inches between each plant to give them room to grow and breathe.
They are heavy feeders, so amend your soil with mushroom compost to give them a good start.
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Pansies prefer moistbut not soggysoil.
Use containers with drainage holes or if planting in the ground, make certain the soil drains well.
Fertilizer
As with any long-blooming annual plant, pansies appreciate some fertilizer.
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However, too much food will just make them leggy.
They respond well to monthly foliar feeding.
Use a balanced fertilizer according to the product label’s directions.
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Theyll be similar in size and markings, regardless of the color.
Pruning
Pansies can be fast growers and pruning helps them to flourish.
Pansy stems may become too long and lanky creating gaps between foliate and flowers.
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Pansies are best trimmed back in the spring to remove dead growth leftover from winter.
Additionally, sections that are too long or leggy can be cut back as needed.
Check the plants midsummer to see if they’ve become overgrown.
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Propagating Pansies
Pansy plants from the previous spring season can be propagated by dividing into smaller clumps.
Here’s how to propagate pansies through division.
You will likely get flowers that have reverted to one of the genetic parents of the hybrid.
tricoloris one of the parents of many hybrid pansies.
Stratifyingpansy seeds for two weeks helps improve germination.
Plant pansies in a container with good drainage using potting mix and a slow-release fertilizer.
Repotting pansies should be done every two years or when you notice they’ve outgrown the container.
Repot them in the early spring, so they can settle in while it’s still cool.
In more seasonal climates, they will typically bloom in the late spring and summer months.
How Long Do Pansies Bloom?
Pansies will bloom for several months depending on temperatures and growing conditions.
To verify they bloom as long as possible, keep them well irrigated and fertilize regularly.
Deadhead whenever necessary by snipping off the stem to the base of the foliage.
What Do Pansy Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Pansy flowers come in a multitude of patterns and colors covering nearly the full spectrum, including true blue.
They carry five rounded petals and may have a pattern of black lines radiating from the center.
They also can have a dark center referred to as a “face”.
They have a perfume-like fragrance that varies in strength depending on hue.
Cutting back any leggy plants will also help to make room for more bloomers.
In some areas, they will last until a new season.
Deadheading Pansies
Trim back pansy blooms as they begin to fade.
This will promote continuous flowering for the entire growing season.
This will also prevent the plants from becoming too leggy or straggly.
Avoid overwatering and crowding pansies to eliminate this risk.
A plant has little to no chance of recovering from this problem.
Pluck off the affected leaves and verify the plants have adequate air circulation.
Spots can range in color from pale green to tan to brown and purple-black.
Tough in cooler seasons, they are a great option for spring and fall gardens.
Pansies thrive in both pots and raised beds.
Since they have shallow roots, avoid planting them too deeply in heavy soil.
Always use well-draining soil for beds and loose potting mix for containers, which should also have drainage holes.
Pansies prefer temps between 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit and will struggle to survive extreme heat or cold.
In some climates, pansies planted in fall will last through spring.
Viola Wittrockiana.Missouri Botanical Garden.
Pansy: Plant Health Problems.
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
Extending the Season With Resilient Pansies.
