Pansies are one of the most popular cool-weather annuals, prized for their cheerful faces and wide range of gorgeous colors. These hardy plants are ideal for planting in containers, allowing you to easily move them around to decorate patios, porches, and entryways. With proper care when planting, pansies in pots and planters can provide months of vibrant color even through frosty weather.
Follow these simple tips for successfully planting pansies in containers to enjoy stunning visual interest all season long
Choose the Right Container
First, select an appropriate container. For fall and winter, choose freeze-proof materials like plastic, resin or glazed ceramic. Avoid unglazed terra cotta and concrete which can crack in freezing weather. The container should have drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. For 3-5 pansy plants, a 10-12” wide pot is sufficient. Shallow containers 6-8” deep help avoid overcrowding.
Use a Well-Draining Soil Mix
Good drainage is crucial so use a quality potting mix, not garden soil. Mix in compost or organic matter to improve nutrition and moisture retention. Adding perlite or vermiculite creates the loose well-draining texture pansies need. Wet feet will cause root rot and other diseases.
Give Them Sunshine
Pansies want full sun – at least 6 hours per day. They tolerate partial shade but bloom best in bright light. Place containers in sun-drenched spots protected from harsh afternoon rays. Provide morning sun or dappled sunlight filtered by trees.
Select Healthy, Cold-Hardy Varieties
Visit local nurseries that sell regional selections bred for your climate. Avoid big box store plants shipped long distances. Seek out vibrant colors like Matrix Yellow, Cool Wave Frost, Black Accord, or Tiger Eye. White violas also combine beautifully with pansies.
Plant Properly in the Container
Gently remove pansy plants from nursery pots, loosening any thick or circling roots before planting at the same depth they were originally growing. Place them in loose soil about 1” below the container’s rim. Water thoroughly after planting.
Use Balanced Fertilizer
Apply pansy fertilizer or all-purpose feed with nitrogen in nitrate form every 2-3 weeks. This provides nutrients for growth and abundant blooms. Follow label instructions for proper rates. Overfeeding can damage roots.
Water When Dry
Check soil moisture regularly, watering when the top inch becomes dry. Take care not to overwater, allowing excess to drain out. Larger containers hold more reserves between watering. Newly planted pansies may wilt dramatically when needing water.
Deadhead Frequently
Pinch off spent blooms to encourage reblooming. Deadheading keeps plants tidy and flowering longer into the season. Also prune any damaged or unsightly growth as needed.
Enjoy Cool Weather Performance
When given well-drained soil, full sun, even moisture and deadheading, container pansies will reward you with cheerful blossoms lasting long after summer annuals fade. Move pots around to decorate entryways, patios and porches with vibrant color through fall and frosty winters.
With their wide range of colors and endearing faces, pansies are a wonderful choice for adding instant charm to container gardens. By selecting cold-tolerant varieties, planting properly in quality potting mix, fertilizing regularly and pruning spent blooms, your patio pots and planters will flourish with carefree beauty even during chilly weather. A properly planted container of pansies can brighten up your outdoor living spaces with color and whimsy for months on end.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Container Pansies
While pansies are relatively easy to grow when their needs are met, a few issues can arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Leggy Growth
If pansies become tall, thin and leggy, it is often from insufficient sunlight. Move containers or prune back stems by one-half to force bushy new growth.
Flowers Drooping
Extreme wilting, drooping flowers and weak stems usually indicate under-watering. Thoroughly soak the entire root zone until water drains from the bottom.
No Flowers
Lack of blooms can be due to over-fertilization, overwatering, not enough sun or inadequate nutrients. Adjust care accordingly to encourage flowering.
Insects & Disease
Aphids, powdery mildew and leaf spots may occur. Remove pests with water or insecticidal soap. Improve air circulation to prevent mildew. Avoid overhead watering and prune affected foliage.
With proper selection, planting, care and troubleshooting, pansies are sure to delight in containers. Pay attention to their basic needs and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous flower display through fall and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Pansies in Containers
Here are answers to some common questions about successfully raising container pansies:
What time of year should pansies be planted in pots?
Plant pansies in containers 6-8 weeks before your first average fall frost for winter enjoyment. They can also be planted in late winter for early spring in mild climates.
How often do container pansies need to be watered?
Check soil daily, watering when the top inch becomes dry, taking care not to soak the soil. Large pots retain moisture longer than small containers.
Should I deadhead pansies in containers?
Yes, pinch off old blooms regularly to encourage new flowers and a tidy appearance.
What fertilizer is best for pansies in pots?
Use an all-purpose fertilizer or one formulated especially for pansies, applying every 2-3 weeks.
Can pansies be overwintered in containers?
In very cold climates, overwinter pansy pots in protected areas. Continue watering until hard freezes kill foliage.
What causes leaf spots or mildew on container pansies?
Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering which can encourage foliar diseases. Promptly remove affected leaves.
How can I revive limp, wilting pansies?
Soak root zones thoroughly if pots feel light or plants are drooping. Hot sun and drying winds require more frequent watering.
With the right care, pansies in containers can give nonstop garden performance through harsh winter conditions. Their cheery blossoms will delight on patios, entryways and porches even when most other flowers have faded. Brighten up your cool weather landscape with these tips for successfully growing pansies in pots and planters!
Get a head start this spring with pansy containers
As winter comes to an end and spring starts to gift us with the warmth of the sun, garden centers and nurseries begin to put out the first flowers of the year. When trying to decide what to take home, I recommend grabbing a few packs of pansies for spring pansy containers. With all of the color options to choose from there is so much you can do when incorporating them into your spring containers. Scroll on for a handful of spring pansy container planting plans and watch the YouTube video above where Garden Gate staff Kristin and Jennifer share a step-by-step tutorial of a couple of the spring pansy containers highlighted below.
Ranunculus & pansy container
Jam-packed with colorful spring blooms like snapdragon, tulip and pansies, this container will give you something gorgeous to look at until warm-weather annuals are ready to take over. Here, the different shapes and textures of the flowers make as much of a statement as their colors. Put this planting on a patio or front step where it’s easy to bend down to enjoy each individual flower.
It’s OK to pack spring containers tightly because you’ll probably remove and replace plants as they fade with the approach of warmer weather. When planting, you may even need to gently press rootballs to squeeze them into the container. This won’t harm the plants as long as you’re careful not to break any stems.
A) Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus ‘Solstice Orange Tricolor’ (1) B) Tulip Tulipa ‘Jimmy’ (2) C) Persian buttercup Ranunculus asiaticus ‘Maché Yellow’ (1) D) Toadflax Linaria maroccana Fantasy™ Yellow (2) E) Twinspur Diascia barberae Flying Colors® Red Improved (2) F) Pansy Viola x wittrockiana ‘Fizzy Grape’ (1)
Container is 18 in. in diameter