Viola X wittrockiana

How to Grow Pansies

Pansies are bright and happy flowers some having a delicate fragrance.Their lovely face-like blooms brighten any winter garden and make a colourful border planting or container plant.

Full sun to part shade

Regular watering

Well drained soil

Suitable for all climatic zones. Plant in Summer and Autumn

How to grow pansies in a garden

Step 1

Fill starter pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix. Sow seeds around 6mm deep, cover, firm down and water well.

Step 2

After sowing it will help to cover the tray or pots with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to limit the light to the seeds as the seed needs to be in darkness to germinate.

Step 3

Water gently and keep moist through the germination period (3-4 weeks) . As soon as the first seeds start to germinate, remove the newspaper or cardboard.

Step 4

While the seedlings are growing, choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun to part shade and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 5

Allow the seedlings to grow to at least 5-7 cm before transplanting.

Step 6

When transplanting them into your prepared garden bed, ensure seedlings are well spaced – at least 20-30cm apart. Water in well.

Step 7

Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.

Step 8

Feed every 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food to promote healthy pansy plants with lots of flowers.

How to grow pansies in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 200mm wide and deep. Position in full sun to part shade.

Step 2

Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Plant directly into the pot by pressing the seeds around 6mm deep into the surface of the pot.

Step 4

After sowing it will help to cover the tray or pots with a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to limit the light to the seeds as the seed needs to be in darkness to germinate .

Step 5

Water gently and keep moist through the germination period (3-4 weeks) . As soon as the first seeds start to germinate, remove the newspaper or cardboard .

Step 6

Feed every 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food to promote healthy pansy plants with lots of flowers

Yates varieties

Growing tips

Remove spent blooms to encourage further flowers.
Flowers are edible and are a great addition to salads, desserts and cakes.
Kids love picking these flowers and creating little posies with them.
Pansies can be vulnerable to 2 key pests - aphids and caterpillars. Aphids can infest stems, causing plants to yellow and grow poorly. Caterpillars can chew through leaves and ruin flower buds. Both aphids and caterpillars can be easily controlled Yates Rose Gun. Spray plants every 2 weeks to protect them from aphid and caterpillar damage.