Planting Pansies

Pansies are known to be tough plants that can take the cold weather.  Plant your pansies early in the spring.  Pansies like full or partial sun but need cooler temperatures to thrive.  They grow best when soil temperatures are between 45°F and 65°F.   Pansies can tolerate a light frost after planting but do not plant if the temperatures are below freezing.  

They make excellent container plants.  Use standard potting soil designed for containers.  Plant in portable containers (12 inches or less in diameter) so the plants can be moved to a cooler area when the sun starts to get stronger.  When hot weather arrives, you may notice they will begin to show signs of struggle.  During the summer, move pansies to the east side of your home for morning sun and afternoon shade. Remember to water pansies regularly.  One of the most common reasons pansies fail is because they are not watered enough.  If your pansies are not thriving, try watering them more.

Work to keep pansies fertilized and deadheaded.  Fertilize pansies with a bloom booster to keep them beautiful and vibrant.  You can use a general, all-purpose fertilizer around your pansies to help them grow.  Be wary of using a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer, though, as this can result in more foliage instead of flowers.  When removing the dead flowers, pinch the flowering stem down to the base of the plant.

Nurseries have an excellent selection of beautiful, colorful pansies for your pots and beds.  Did you know pansies are edible flowers?  You can add pansies to your salad for a minty taste.  Enjoy the beauty and taste of pansies.