So I kind of have a mini obsession with pansies. I like to plant a new batch of them in my garden every fall. At our last house I had a whole hillside of them and I LOVED watching them break through the soil every spring and fall. If you’ve never grown pansies before, you should give them a go. They are super easy to grow and instead of paying $1-2 per plant, you can grow an entire flat of them for less than $2.00.
How to Grow Pansies from Seed:
Pansies are a cold-hardy brightly colored flower and although they are typically annuals, here in the Northwest they are treated as perennials. In other parts of the United States they will also will overwinter in zones as cold as zone 4. Plus over time, they spread. Which if you ask me is a total bonus.
Plant pansy seeds outside in groups of 4 every 4″-6″ {or per seed pot if starting indoors in the refrigerator like I do}.
Although pansies are easy to grow, they seem to germinate a little better if they are started in moistened soil in the refrigerator for 5-7 days to break the seeds dormancy. Pansy seed requires darkness to germinate but once the seedlings pop though the soil I then place them under grow lights.
Plant the seeds about 1/8″ deep and then thin the seedlings to 1 plant every 4″-6″ once they are about 1″ tall. I like to to start my pansy seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before transplanting outside. Pansies like part sun to shade conditions so keep that in mind when you are planting them.
~Mavis
Colleen says
I was wondering if you have ever just direct sown the pansies?
I live in the Idaho Panhandle, and we get slightly more extreme winters than you do in the PacNW, and wonder if the couple of frosts and bit of snow in the winter would be enough to cold shock the seeds to start germination?
Mavis Butterfield says
I have sprinkled viola seeds with minimal success in the past that’s why I prefer to sow them indoors first. I bet you might have better luck in Idaho though.
Julie says
Can you folks have pansies year round, then? Here in the Mid-Atlantic (Northern Maryland), pansies will survive the winter if it mild, but come summer and the heat, they’re goners.
Inez says
Where do you order the seeds from? Thanks.
Mavis Butterfield says
Botanical Interests seed company.