How to Grow Pansy
Viola x wittrockiana
Hardy Cool Season Continuous Harvest
Pansies are cheerful cool-season flowers that bloom prolifically in spring and autumn, tolerating light frosts. Sow in late summer for winter and spring colour, or in late winter for early summer display. They prefer fertile, moisture-retentive soil in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Deadhead regularly to keep flowers coming, and expect them to fade once summer heat arrives.
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Can also be started indoors 5 weeks earlier for a head start.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Sow seeds
Day 0 Germination
~10 days Flowering
~70 days Seed to harvest ~70 days
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser from planting through to the end of the flowering period. A high-potash feed encourages prolific flowering over a long season.
- Deadhead pansies regularly to prolong flowering and prevent leggy growth. Sow in late summer for winter and spring flowering, or in late winter for summer colour. They prefer cool conditions and will flag in heat.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 5°C+
- Germination temperature
- 15–18°C
Don't know your frost date? Find it here
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 20 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.5 cm |
| Mature height | 20 cm |
| Mature spread | 25 cm |
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Pest Slugs
Pest Violet gall midge
Disease Powdery mildew
Disease Pansy downy mildew
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 15–18°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Pansy?
- Plant Pansy 15cm apart with 20cm between rows.
- Is Pansy frost hardy?
- Pansy is classified as Hardy.
