Winter Pansies Plant Care: How to Grow Winter Pansies

Winter pansies (Viola heimalis) are a type of winter flowering plant. Winter pansies are one of about 500 different pansy species in the family Violaceae of the genus Viola. They are close relatives of garden pansies (Viola x wittrockiana), Johnny jump-ups (Viola tricolor), and violets. Winter pansies bloom during the winter months in climates with relatively mild winter conditions. In areas where the winter season brings harsh weather, they bloom in early spring. Their tolerance of cool weather makes them a suitable choice for garden beds in USDA hardiness zones four to seven. Though they are technically perennial plants, most gardeners plant winter pansies as annuals due to their short growing season.

Winter pansies are differentiated from spring and fall pansies by their ideal planting and bloom time. In USDA hardiness zones four to seven, ground temperatures tend to be suitable for winter pansies in September and October. Use a thermometer to check the soil temperature. When a thermometer pushed into the ground at a depth of at least six inches consistently reads between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re ready to sow your pansy seeds or plant young plants. Plant winter pansies alongside other spring bloomers such as daffodils, crocus, and tulips.

Consider these tips for growing pansies and caring for them throughout the growing season.

1. 1. Light: Winter pansies do best in full-sun areas but are tolerant of partial shade.
2. 2. Soil: Plant pansies in well-draining soil rich with organic matter. Well-draining soil is essential to avoiding root rot.
3. 3. Water: If rainfall is consistent throughout the growing season, avoid watering winter pansy varieties. Their root systems are sensitive to overwatering and could develop root rot if soaked for a long period of time. Planting in raised garden beds is your best line of defense against root rot. Apply a layer of mulch at the base of the flowers to help keep the roots warmer and provide consistent water retention.
4. 4. Fertilizer: When you first plant pansy transplants in your garden bed, give them an application of water-soluble plant food. For pansies in hanging baskets or pots, apply a slow-release plant food four weeks after potting and whenever the plants are cut back significantly.
5. 5. Pruning: Deadheading, or removing dead flowers, will ensure a healthy abundance of pansy flowers and encourage new growth. Simply use your forefinger and thumb to pinch off dead, spent flowers.
6. 6. Temperature: If temperatures drop drastically lower than normal, you can protect your pansies from freezing and dying by placing a thin layer of pine straw on top of them. This helps trap heat from the soil, which also helps protect the root system.

Winter pansies and summer pansies are both impressive pansy varieties that boast wide arrays of vibrant flower colors. The main differences between them are when to plant them and when they bloom. Winter pansies are best planted in the fall for a late-fall, winter, and spring bloom. Summer pansies are best planted in late spring, for a bloom time from early summer to late summer. Summer pansies are heat-tolerant, whereas winter pansies are likely to fade when exposed to high temperatures.

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