Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)

Pansy Plant Features

Who can resist the charming faces of pansy? These happy-go-lucky annual flowers almost seem to smile as you walk by. Pansies comes in a myriad of colors and patterns that look their best in the spring or fall when the weather is cool. In fact, in milder climates, pansies will bloom all winter long. Pansies excel in beds and borders or packed into window boxes, hanging baskets, and containers. This foolproof, little sun-lover grows 6 to 9 inches tall and will bloom its head of until hot summer weather brings the flower show to a close. Colors include yellow, red, mahogany, blue, purple, mauve, pink, orange, white, and even black. Pansies also bear either clear or blotched flowers.

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Pansy Growing Instructions

Plant pansies in a sunny spot in rich, well-drained soil. The plants can tolerate some dryness, but prefer to be just slightly moist at all times. Remove the faded flowers as they appear to encourage the production of additional blooms. Fall-planted pansies have a tendency to be a bit larger and stronger than those planted in the spring because they have more time to develop a deeper root system while temperatures remain cool.

Pansies are sometimes called heavy feeders, meaning they bloom best when fertilized regularly. Use a slow-release fertilizer at planting time or use a product you dilute in water each time you irrigate your pansies to keep them blooming profusely.

Pansies are not recommended for human or animal consumption.

Water

Moist
Light

Outside: Sun
Colors

Blue

Orange

Pink

Purple

Red

Variegated

White

Yellow
Special Features

Fragrant flowers/foliage

Super-easy to grow

Complement your Pansy

Sweet Alyssum
The dainty flowers of Sweet Alyssum complement the bolder flowers of Pansy in early spring baskets.

Asparagus Fern
Create a gorgeous hanging basket by pairing Asparagus Fern and Pansy.

Dusty Miller
The silver-gray foliage of Dusty Miller provides a cool contrast when mixed into a bed of brightly colored Pansy.

Our favorite varieties

Cool Wave Blueberry Swirl Pansy

Pansy 'Cool Blueberry Swirl’

An amazing trailing pansy, 'Cool Wave Blueberry Swirl’ can cascade more than 2 feet from a basket or window box. It has large leaves, wide flowers, and a bushy growth habit. Plant in early spring and late fall. Plants are 6 to 8 inches tall.

Inspire Blue Angel Pansy

Pansy ‘Inspire Blue Angel’

This showy pansy has a compact, upright growth, making it a great choice for both spring and fall gardens. Cool-weather-loving pansies brighten spring porch containers and fall baskets. ‘Inspire Blue Angel’ is grown as an annual.

Majestic Giants Rosalyn Pansy

Viola 'Majestic Giants Rosalyn'

Known for its extra-large flowers, Majestic Giants Rosalyn features mauve-purple flowers in spring or fall. It grows 8 inches tall and wide.

Matrix Denim Pansy

Viola 'Matrix Denim'

Matrix Denim pansy shows off rich blue-purple flowers accented with a rich purple center. It grows 8 inches tall and wide.

Matrix Red Blotch Pansy

Viola 'Matrix Red Blotch'

Matrix Red Blotch pansy is an easy-care variety with red flowers that have a darker blotch in the center. It grows 8 inches tall and wide.

Matrix Pure Yellow Pansy

Pansy 'Matrix Pure Yellow'

Matrix Pure Yellow pansy is what you'd expect from the name -- it offers golden-yellow flowers on a tidy plant that's 8 inches tall and wide.

Matrix Ocean Pansy

Viola 'Matrix Ocean'

Plant Matrix Ocean pansy and enjoy a sea of spring and fall color! It bears purple-blue blooms with a deeper blotch at the center. Matrix Ocean pansy grows 8 inches tall and wide.

Delta Pure Violet Pansy

Viola 'Delta Pure Violet'

Delta Pure Violet pansy looks great in spring or fall with its rich, deep, violet-purple flowers. It grows 10 inches tall and wide.

Delta Pure Light Blue Pansy

Viola 'Delta Pure Light Blue'

While many pansies bear a blotch at the center creating a bicolor effect, Delta Pure Light Blue doesn't -- giving the plant a soft, ethereal look. It grows 10 inches tall and wide.

Cool Wave Violet Wing Pansy

Viola 'Cool Wave Violet Wing'

An outstanding trailing pansy for hanging baskets, Cool Wave Violet wing has soft purple flowers accented with dark purple tones. It grows 8 inches tall and can trail 30 inches.

Cool Wave Sunshine 'N Wine Pansy

Viola 'Cool Wave Sunshine 'N Wine'

Cool Wave Sunshine 'N Wine trailing pansy bears tons of golden-yellow-and-violet-purple flowers. It grows 8 inches tall and spreads/trails 30 inches.

Cool Wave Purple Pansy

Viola 'Cool Wave Purple'

Cool Wave Purple trailing pansy is beautiful in hanging baskets! Whether you plant it in spring or fall, you'll adore its rich, dark violet-purple flowers. It grows 6 inches tall and spreads or trails 30 inches.

Cool Wave Frost Pansy

Viola 'Cool Wave Frost'

Cool Wave Frost is a trailing pansy made for hanging baskets! It offers bicolor blue-and-cream flowers on a vigorous plant that grows 8 inches tall and spreads or trails 30 inches.