How Long Do Pansies Bloom?
The bloom time of a pansy plant varies depending on the weather, the local climate and the plant’s growing conditions. Pansies can bloom for four to six months, but the bloom time can be much longer in mild-winter climates and much shorter in hot climates.
Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana) are typically grown as cool-season annual bedding plants, but they are perennials within USDA plant hardiness zones 6a to 10b.
All varieties of pansies grow best in cool weather with full sun, so their bloom time is limited by local growing conditions—but the care a pansy plant receives also has a profound impact on how long and how abundantly it will bloom.
Pansy Bloom Time
An established pansy plant can bloom any time of year from early spring to late summer and even during the autumn and winter months depending on the local climate. Gardeners in frost-free areas often plant pansies in late fall for winter color, while growers in colder climates tend to plant these showy bedding plants in their garden beds in early spring.
If it is a healthy plant, a pansy’s blooming season can be extended or enhanced by giving it the right care at the right time, but nothing will help a pansy plant bloom if it is growing under the wrong conditions.
Growing Pansies at Home
Growing pansies under the right growing conditions will help promote abundant blooming. These fast growers need full sun but will tolerate partial shade in warmer climates.
Growing Pansies in the Garden
Choose a flower bed with full sun in the morning and some light shade during the hottest part of the day. Locate hanging baskets where they are sheltered from very strong sunlight.
- Grow pansies in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Amend poor or clayey beds with a 3- to 4-inch-thick layer of well-rotted manure compost to improve its texture and nutrient content.
- Space your pansy plants 7 to 12 inches apart when grown in the garden.
- Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of finely textured mulch, such as pine straw or shredded pine bark, around the plants to hold moisture in the soil. Be sure to leave a 2-inch gap between the mulch and the plants to prevent rot.
Growing Pansies in Containers
Learning how to grow pansies in containers so that they bloom well is very straightforward. Simply plant them in a draining container filled with standard potting soil. The container should be less than 12 inches in diameter so that it can be easily moved out of harsh sun if needed.
- Make sure that the crown of the plant is level with the surrounding soil so that the roots are completely covered. Space pansies 6 to 8 inches apart when growing them in window boxes or hanging baskets.
- Choose a location in dappled afternoon shade with plenty of direct sun in the mild morning hours.
- Position the pot on a south-facing patio or porch in spring and autumn and move the pot to an east-facing position during the heat of summer. Move the pot to a sheltered location during very cold weather.
Enhancing Blooming in Pansies
One of the best ways to enhance blooming in pansies is to choose the right plants. Look for plants with thick, bushy growth rather than thin, leggy growth. Also, choose pansy plants that have plenty of unopened buds, which means that the plant is at the start of its blooming phase and has plenty of energy for flowers.
The right plant and growing conditions make a difference in how long and abundantly a pansy blooms, but how a pansy is cared for also greatly factors into how well the plant blooms.
Water Pansies Often
Only hydrated pansies bloom well. Provide pansies with 1 to 2 inches of water each week or whenever the soil feels dry when probed with your fingertip.
Never let a pansy dry out to the point of wilting, because severe dehydration will decrease blooming and may cause the plant to drop its buds and flowers.
Fertilize Pansies Often
Pansy flowers are heavy feeders during the growing season. They benefit from monthly liquid fertilizer applications or from two applications of slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
Fertilizer stakes work well for potted pansies. Start feeding when new growth appears after planting and stop feeding when blooming slows down.
Deadhead the Old Flowers
One of the most effective ways of enhancing and prolonging blooming in pansy cultivars is to remove the spent flowers, which is a process called deadheading. Simply snip off the flowers as they fade to redirect the plant’s energy back toward flower production.
This keeps all types of pansies blooming for longer, whether they are seed-grown plants or transplants bought from the garden center.
Tip
Wipe down your pruning shear blades with household disinfectant to kill off any harmful bacteria.
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Writer Bio
Sasha Degnan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Anthropology. Her written work has appeared in both online and print publications. She is a certified Master Gardener and dedicated plant enthusiast with decades of experience growing and propagating native and exotic plant varieties.
