How to Grow Pansies: Planting, Spacing, Care & Pests

Pansy at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 12 wk before last frost; Transplant: 2 wk before last frost

SunNC State: full sun to part shade; humus-rich, consistently moist, well-drained.

WaterUSU: about 1 inch water per week in the growing season; never water late afternoon/evening.

SpacingTransplants: same depth as in the pot (USU).

Days to bloomBloom season June–Oct. for Viola cornuta (Purdue HO-80)

-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3

■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.

Updated October 30, 2026

Garden pansy is Viola × wittrockiana (NC State; UGA). This page deepens cool-season bedding detail beyond the fall flowers hub.

Sourced from university extension guides. For dates where you live, use the ZIP planting planner.

Planting timing

UGA: “pansies require soil temperatures between 45° F and 65° F for best growth.” Below 45°F roots shut down; planted too early in warm weather plants yellow and stretch (UGA Extension). NC State: “Plant in the fall for winter and early spring blooms” (NC State). USU: sow seed in July (North) or July–August (farther south), transplant about 6 weeks before killing frost, or set blooming plants in spring (Utah State Extension). Southeast fall bedding vs northern summer sow / spring color — present both.

Depth and spacing

Transplants: same depth as in the pot (USU). Seed: cover about ⅛ inch (USU). Spacing: UGA 6, 8, or 10 inches — wider improves air flow; USU about 7 to 12 inches. Show both.

Sun, soil and water

NC State: full sun to part shade; humus-rich, consistently moist, well-drained. UGA: cannot tolerate wet feet; prefer pH about 5.4–5.8 for pansies; soil test; do not lime out of habit. USU: about 1 inch water per week in the growing season; never water late afternoon/evening. No synthetic fertilizer rates; avoid excess nitrogen (UGA).

Growing lobelia (cool-season bedding companion)

NDSU H1139: start indoors 10 weeks before transplanting; transplant 2 weeks after last frost → planner Start indoors last frost −8; Transplant last frost +2. Purdue HO-14 lists a longer 12-week start — use that if you follow the Purdue chart. (NDSU H1139; Purdue HO-14-W)

NC State: plants about 4–9 inches; width to about 12 inches; full sun to part shade; moist, organically rich, well-drained soil. Prefers cool summers; struggles in hot humid weather. Cut back after flowering for rebloom. Ornamental only — not edible.

Poison: NC State poison severity Medium. Ingesting large quantities of any part can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, exhaustion, weakness, pupil dilation, convulsions, or coma. Toxic principle: alkaloids. Poison parts include flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, and seeds. Keep away from children and pets; do not ingest. Not medical advice. (NC State Lobelia erinus)

Disease (cultural): damping-off, stem rot, and root rot under wet conditions — avoid wet soils and improve drainage (NC State).

Growing sweet alyssum (cool bedding companion)

Purdue HO-14: start sweet alyssum indoors 7 weeks before last frost . NC State: for spring flowers, sow in the ground several weeks before last frost, or start indoors 5 to 6 weeks before last frost and set seedlings out. (Purdue HO-14-W; NC State sweet alyssum)

NC State: height about 3–10 in; width about 6–12 in; full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils required — stem and crown rot follow poor drainage. Cut back when summer heat declines bloom to encourage rebloom. NC State tags the species non-toxic for cats, horses, and dogs.